Tobacco Board Chairman K. Gopal on Thursday sounded optimistic as marketing of the key commercial crop in Prakasam district is all set to commence from next week.
He exhorted the farmers to stick to the crop size to realise a better price for their produce.
“The buyers’ market can be turned into sellers market by scrupulously adhering to the crop size, adopting best agronomic practices and improving the quality to make the best out of the unpredictable market situation,” he said.
Mr. Gopal was interacting with the farmers here, ahead of e-auctions set to commence in two phases from March 11 in Southern Light Soil platforms and in Southern Black Soil platforms on March 16.
“As auctions progress, there will definitely be market buoyancy,” he said.
The farmers should concentrate on realising better average price, he said while explaining on the Board’s efforts to create the brand image for Indian tobacco in the international market.
The farmers should concentrate on bringing to the market tobacco free of non-tobacco related material (NTRM) to get the best price for their produce, he advised.
Virginia Tobacco Growers Welfare Association president Ch. Seshaiah said the Centre would allow FDI in tobacco sector.
The Centre should also facilitate introduction of contract farming to ensure a definite price for ryots at the time of cultivation itself in order to put an end the present uncertainty at the time of marketing.
Auctions will be done in two phases from March 11
