Nellore: Few bidders for tobacco

Nellore: Tobacco auctions are marred by wariness on the part of importing nations and problems in attending auction process in the district. Though authorities began auctions on May 11, the response is less than enthusiastic.

Auctions had begun at the two auction centres at DC Palli in Marripadu and at Kaligiri in the district on February 14 before lockdown. Farmers said only 5 per cent of auction process had been completed till March 20 before lockdown halted the process.

Tobacco was grown in around 5,500-6,000 hectare this year in the district.Tobacco Board officials are asking the farmers to confine to the approved area to avoid possible losses.

Farmers suffered huge losses last year as the stocks were considered low grade due to discolouration. Weather conditions highly impacted the yield forcing the farmers to content with minimum prices.

This year, lockdown has become a major drawback for the farmers who cultivated the crop in a huge area. They have been expressing fears about change of colour after curing of tobacco which would bring down prices as auctions get delayed.

Normally, cured tobacco should be put up for sale within a short period for a good price.

Tobacco Board chairman Yadlapati Raghunatha Babu also visited the process recently and assured good price to the tobacco.

He expressed the board's inability as buyers are not attending the auction process due to travel difficulties and lockdown restrictions. Farmers are now being suggested to put the quality tobacco for sale at the auction centres for good price.

Farmers are appealing to the government to purchase tobacco for supporting them as they have been incurring losses for the last 2-3 years.