Jagan Reddy Criticises Government Over Tobacco Prices; Minister Responds
Jagan, minister spar over tobacco pricing.
A political war of words erupted in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday as the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government traded allegations over the difficulties faced by tobacco farmers. The exchange followed YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's visit to tobacco-growing areas in Devarapalli, where he accused the N. Chandrababu Naidu-led government of failing to safeguard farmers' interests amid falling tobacco prices and rising cultivation costs.
During his visit, Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded that the state-run Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Marketing Federation (Markfed) be immediately involved in tobacco procurement. He alleged that growers were being forced into distress sales because of low market prices and claimed that a cartel of traders was suppressing tobacco prices. He also accused the Tobacco Board of failing to ensure adequate procurement, alleging that farmers were receiving prices as low as Rs 170 per kg compared to an average of around Rs 289 per kg during the 2023-24 season under the previous YSRCP government. According to Jagan, farmers were incurring losses of nearly Rs 70 per kg.
The former chief minister also referred to the reported suicide of a tobacco farmer, Venkateswara Rao, alleging that the state government had failed to respond adequately to the family's situation. He urged the government to take immediate measures to support tobacco growers and prevent further financial distress among farming communities dependent on the crop.
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Responding to the allegations, Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu rejected Jagan Mohan Reddy's claims and challenged him to an open debate based on official data and statistics. The minister said the NDA government had approved financial assistance of Rs 10 per kg for nearly 100 million kg of tobacco, involving an estimated outlay of around Rs 100 crore. He also stated that the Central government was providing interest-free loans to tobacco farmers to help ease their financial burden.
The political exchange comes as the state government and the Tobacco Board continue efforts to speed up procurement and improve price realisation for tobacco growers. Farmers have raised concerns over low auction prices, increasing rejection rates and rising input costs, prompting demands for stronger government intervention. The issue is expected to remain a key political and agricultural concern as authorities work to address the challenges faced by tobacco cultivators across Andhra Pradesh.
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