Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Commerce, and Director Monika Gaur held discussions with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on problems being faced by the tobacco farmers, at his residence on Saturday morning (July 25).
They deliberated on three proposals, including providing interest-free working capital loans to the farmers, giving various incentives and compensating the price deficit.
Mr. Naidu called for a thorough discussion on the proposals. He insisted that the tobacco farmers must not suffer any losses, while stressing the need to find a permanent solution encompassing short, medium and long-term strategies.
He asked to what extent the Central government was willing to support the farmers and inquired into the steps being taken.
The plans should duly factor in the international market dynamics, he suggested, and directed the officials to explore the possibility of storing the crop for a year or two in order to sell it when the prices stabilize.
He told the officials to prepare an action plan on selling different grades of tobacco by holding consultations with the traders and other stakeholders and to work out an effective regulatory mechanism that would insulate farmers from the vagaries of the market.
Union Minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Ministers Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy and MLAs from the combined Prakasam district, Narasaraopet, Rajanagaram, and Polavaram constituencies attended the meeting.
Minister for Agriculture and Marketing, K. Atchannaidu and MPs Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy participated in the discussions virtually.
Published – July 25, 2026 04:26 pm IST
