Hundreds of farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha banner blocked the Kolkata-Chennai highway to protest the sudden crash in tobacco procurement prices.

Key Takeaways

  • Farmers blocked NH-16 near Tangutur toll plaza in Prakasam district.
  • Protest triggered by the sudden drop in low-grade tobacco prices to ₹110/kg.
  • SKM demands a ₹1,000-crore fund for tobacco procurement.
  • Allegations of government favoring corporate traders over farmers.

In a massive show of discontent, hundreds of farmers belonging to various organizations under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) banner staged a protest on the Kolkata-Chennai National Highway (NH-16) on Wednesday. The blockade near the Throvagunta area in Prakasam district led to massive traffic congestion, leaving vehicles stranded for kilometers.

The Crisis of Falling Prices

The core of the protest lies in the drastic reduction of tobacco procurement rates. Chunduri Ranga Rao, the SKM Prakasam district committee convener, alleged that the state government has failed to protect farmers. He pointed out a staggering discrepancy: while the average price of tobacco stands around ₹1,877 per kg, the government recently announced a procurement price of only ₹110 per kg for low-grade tobacco.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such sharp volatility in agricultural pricing directly threatens the livelihood of millions of small-scale farmers. When procurement prices fall significantly below production costs, it creates a cycle of debt that can destabilize entire rural economies, often leading to widespread civil unrest.

'The government's failure to enforce minimum purchase prices is allowing corporate traders to dictate terms to the farming community.'

The protesters have accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of prioritizing corporate interests. Despite previous orders mandating a minimum purchase price of ₹200 per kg, farmers claim that no trader has complied with these directives. The CPI Prakasam district secretary, R. Venkat Rao, highlighted the irony that while tobacco exports generate massive foreign exchange, the government is hesitant to allocate a mere ₹1,000 crore to support the farmers.

Historical Background

Tobacco cultivation has been a cornerstone of the Andhra Pradesh economy for decades. However, the sector has frequently faced turmoil due to fluctuating global demand and the influence of large-scale tobacco processing corporations that often hold significant leverage over local pricing structures.

Did You Know?: Tobacco is one of India's major commercial crops, contributing significantly to the nation's agricultural export revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are the farmers protesting on the highway?
They are protesting against the sudden and unfair reduction in the procurement price of low-grade tobacco.

2. What is the primary demand of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha?
They are demanding remunerative prices and a ₹1,000-crore government fund to facilitate fair procurement.