Tobacco firms told to begin procurement from Kurnool farmers

Joint Collector B. Navya on Wednesday directed tobacco companies to immediately commence procurement from farmers across Kurnool district to avoid loss of quality, given the inclement weather condition due to early monsoons.

Addressing a meeting with representatives of the tobacco companies here, the Joint Collector highlighted that delay in procurement could lead to moisture damage of the produce, and this would severely affect the quality, leading to losses to the farmers.

The official informed the companies to act promptly and extend a helping hand to the farming sector by completing the tobacco procurement without any delay. The Joint Collector asked the GPI Company to set up procurement centres in high-production areas. She further directed the firms to ensure full procurement of “bidi’ and “natu” varieties of tobacco, assuring fair compensation to the farmers.

Company representatives were directed to make immediate arrangements for transporting the tobacco stock directly from farmers to the warehouses. Senior officials of the Agriculture and marketing departments took part in the meeting.