'International market plays a key role in tobacco prices'

Addressing a news conference here, he said a quantity of 14.22 million kg is marketed in Karnataka with an average price of ` 97.28 per kg.

 It is mainly due to cultivation of tobacco in excess by 40 per cent of the area than the authorised area of 80,000 hectare, the production is up by 30 per cent than the authorised production of 100 million kgs targeted by the board.

The board is constantly interacting with the manufacturers, exporters and international merchants to ensure a fair price to the farmer’s produce.

Rao also announced that a new regional office will be opened at Periyapatna for facilitating easy accessibility to tobacco farmers for redressal of their grievances with immediate effect.

e - auction

Plans are afoot to introduce e-auctions from next year crop season to maintain transparency in the auction system. Foundation will be laid for new auction platforms at Chilkunda in the newly acquired land.

MP A H Vishwanath, who was also present at the press conference, insisted that the board should intervene in ensuing fair and remunerative prices for the tobacco as the farmers are incurring losses due to dip in the prices. The chairman should visit the tobacco growing areas frequently to ensure a fair deal to the farming community.

H C Shivanna, member of the board, K N Vishakantaiah, regional manager, Mysore and Y Venugopal, regional manager, Periyapatna, were present.