Central Government steps in to support Karnataka’s tobacco farmers

2 min read

9 months ago News Desk

Bengaluru: The central government has responded positively to a memorandum submitted by Nikhil Kumaraswamy, State President of the JD(S) Youth Wing, urging support for Karnataka’s distressed tobacco farmers.

In a press statement, Nikhil Kumaraswamy expressed gratitude to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, for “allowing unlicensed tobacco farmers in regions like Hunsur, Periyapatna, and H.D. Kote to sell their produce and for waiving penalties imposed on them.”

Welcoming the Centre’s decision, he recalled that “on December 2, 2024, a delegation, led by Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H D Kumaraswamy, met Union Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to present a memorandum. This was followed by a crucial meeting with senior officials from the Commerce Department on December 21.”

Nikhil Kumaraswamy also mentioned that the delegation included Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, former minister S.R. Mahesh, Hunsur MLA G D Harish Gowda, and representatives of the tobacco farming community.

He further highlighted that “Karnataka’s tobacco farmers suffered severe losses due to excessive rainfall in May and July last year, leading to a significant drop in FCV (flue-cured Virginia) tobacco yields and a decline in leaf quality. The Centre’s intervention will now provide relief to thousands of affected farmers.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has taken several historic farmer-friendly decisions, and this move to support Karnataka’s tobacco farmers is one among them,” he added.

Explaining the impact of the Centre’s decision, he stated that “auction centers under the Tobacco Board will now allow the sale of excess tobacco from registered farmers and unauthorized tobacco from unregistered farmers. Additionally, farmers can access fair and transparent market prices without any extra service charges.”

FCV tobacco is cultivated over 53,325 hectares in Karnataka, with 40,487 registered farmers and 12,838 unlicensed growers.

“This decision will particularly benefit 12,838 unlicensed tobacco farmers,” he noted.

“The Narendra Modi-led central government has taken a historic step to alleviate the distress of Karnataka’s tobacco farmers,” Nikhil Kumaraswamy concluded.

– Team Mysoorunews