Stagnant prices hit tobacco farmers of Prakasam and Nellore districts

TOBACCO farmers in Prakasam and Nellore districts are expressing deep disappointment as prices have failed to meet their expectations this season, despite escalating input costs.

- D SURENDRA KUMAR @Nellore

After three years of stable pricing, hopes for improved returns this year have been dashed.

Two months since the auction season began, prices remain stagnant, leaving growers increasingly disheartened.

For the 2024-25 season, the Tobacco Board permitted auctioning of 105 million kilograms in the Southern Light Soils (SLS) and Southern Black Soils (SBS) regions across Prakasam and Nellore, with 11 auction centres in operation.

In Nellore's SLS region—including Kandukur-1, Kandukur-2, DC Palli, and Kaligiri centres—40 million kilograms were approved for sale.