Pavala Vaddi loans to tobacco-growers likely
HYDERABAD: The State Government is contemplating providing crop loans to tobacco- growers under the Pavala Vaddi scheme,, Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy has said.
Addressing farmers at the 10th Tobacco Institute of India awards here today, Reddy said that only 20 per cent of Indians smoked or chewed tobacco as against 90 per cent in western countries. Nearly 80 per cent of the total tobacco production in the country was being exported.
“Despite their big contribution to the Indian GDP and exports, the Indian tobacco farmers are not getting enough encouragement,’’ he observed.
Recalling the late chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s contribution to the welfare of the farming community, the agriculture minster said farmers had lost a a great leader.
“We will continue to support the farmers,’’ he assured.
Stating that the Centre was adopting stringent policies to curb tobacco production, director of Tobacco Institute of India Udayan Lal requested the Union Government to keep in mind the problems being faced by tobacco-growers before passing the Act. “The stringent laws are discouraging tobacco cultivators,’’ he said while urging the minister to take up the matter with the Centre.
Presenting the awards to farmers, the minister appreciated the efforts of the farmers despite several hurdles in cultivating tobacco.
The TII presented 15 awards to tobacco-growers from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka _ seven in the Best Farmer category, seven Recognition awards and one Lifetime Achievement award.
The Best Farmer and Lifetime Achievement award winners received Rs 20,000 cash prize and a citation, and the Recognition award recipients were given a Rs 10,000 cash prize and a citation.
The TII has been presenting these awards since 1999 to encourage the progressive and scientific agricultural practices by the Indian tobacco farming community.
16 Oct 2009 Expressbuzz
