Tobacco farmers in Prakasam reap record profits
By : P.V. Prasad
Update: 2024-11-03 22:38 GMT
Kurnool: Farmers in Prakasam district are enthused at the sharp increase in tobacco prices this harvest season. The prices have soared to Rs 365 per kilo, this being the highest rate this year.
They produced an additional 65 million kg of tobacco, surpassing the Tobacco Board's approved cultivation area.
Quality aspects have significantly contributed to this surge in prices, with the premium variety fetching as high as Rs 365 per kilo. Representatives from around 49 companies participated in the auctions.
Tobacco auctions began on February 29. It continued till October across different locations. The Kanigiri auction saw the shortest duration of 136 days, while Tangutur hosted the longest auction period of 162 days.
The overall production of the crop resulted in the sales of 153 million kg, a significant increase of 76 million kg compared to last year.
The prices have ranged widely, with the highest recorded at Rs 365 and the lowest at Rs 50 per kg.
The auction centres have reported varying average prices, with Vellampalli quoting Rs 276, Tangutur Rs 272, Kondapi Rs 266, Podili Rs 263, Ongole-1 Rs 272, Ongole-2 265, and Kanigiri Rs 252 per kg. Notably, the Ongole-1 auction centre reported the highest sales volume of 18.58 million kg sold, overtaking the other six centres.
Initially, the auctions started with lower prices of around Rs 230 per kg. As the season progressed, prices steadily increased, providing significant benefits to the farmers. This recovery comes after many farmers faced crops damage during heavy rains in November and December the previous year.
Farmer P Rangaiah Naidu from Trovagunta expressed his satisfaction with this year's prices, saying that despite the initial losses caused by the weather, farmers managed to achieve good profits even with lower-grade tobacco.
Quality aspects have significantly contributed to this surge in prices, with the premium variety fetching as high as Rs 365 per kilo. Representatives from around 49 companies participated in the auctions.
Tobacco auctions began on February 29. It continued till October across different locations. The Kanigiri auction saw the shortest duration of 136 days, while Tangutur hosted the longest auction period of 162 days.
The overall production of the crop resulted in the sales of 153 million kg, a significant increase of 76 million kg compared to last year.
Farmers are happy that the average price has risen by Rs 54 per kg, compared to last year's rates.
The auction centres have reported varying average prices, with Vellampalli quoting Rs 276, Tangutur Rs 272, Kondapi Rs 266, Podili Rs 263, Ongole-1 Rs 272, Ongole-2 265, and Kanigiri Rs 252 per kg. Notably, the Ongole-1 auction centre reported the highest sales volume of 18.58 million kg sold, overtaking the other six centres.
Initially, the auctions started with lower prices of around Rs 230 per kg. As the season progressed, prices steadily increased, providing significant benefits to the farmers. This recovery comes after many farmers faced crops damage during heavy rains in November and December the previous year.
Farmer P Rangaiah Naidu from Trovagunta expressed his satisfaction with this year's prices, saying that despite the initial losses caused by the weather, farmers managed to achieve good profits even with lower-grade tobacco.