New Delhi: The Union Government today decided to provide immediate relief to Andhra Pradesh’s over 28 thousand flue-cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco farmers affected by Cyclone Mandous – the third most intense tropical cyclone of the 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.
To this effect, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, accorded approval for Rs. 28.11 crores to extend a special interest-free loan of Rs.10,000 to each member of Tobacco Board’s Growers’ Welfare Schemes under Southern Regions (Southern Light Soil and Southern Black Soil) of Andhra Pradesh from the Tobacco Growers’ Welfare Fund which the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry claimed, will directly benefit 28,112 farmers.
The interest-free loan to the eligible FCV Tobacco farmers will be administered by the Tobacco Board, a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
“This measure will help the FCV Tobacco farmers overcome the damage caused by Mandous Cyclonic rains and would greatly help the growers to take up immediate damage mitigation measures,” the Ministry stated.
FCV tobacco, which is the major exportable tobacco variety of the total unmanufactured tobacco exports from India, is a major commercial crop grown in 10 districts of Andhra Pradesh with an annual production of 121 m.kg (2021-22) grown in an area of 66,000 hectares (ha.)
Out of the total unmanufactured tobacco exports (excluding Tobacco Refuse), FCV tobacco exports accounted for 53.62 % in terms of quantity and 68.47 % in terms of value during FY 2021-22.
FCV Tobacco growers sell their produce through an e-auction platform developed and operated by the Tobacco Board, “through a transparent process ensuring fair and remunerative prices to farmers”.
– global bihari bureau
