Andhra Pradesh chief minister pushes central relief for tobacco growers

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met senior officials of the Union Ministry of Commerce, including Additional Secretary Nitin Kumar Yadav, Director Mounika Gaur and Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, to discuss relief for tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh. The centre presented three proposals: interest‑free working‑capital loans, financial incentives and a price‑deficiency compensation mechanism.

Naidu stressed the need for a comprehensive, long‑term strategy that safeguards farmers while balancing buyers, the Tobacco Board and market conditions. He suggested storing tobacco for one to two years to sell when prices stabilise and directed officials to prepare short, medium and long‑term plans. Stakeholders, comprising state ministers, agriculture officials, Markfed and Tobacco Board representatives, agreed to reconvene to finalise a coordinated solution.