Indian Government Announces Relief Package for Cyclone-Hit Tobacco Growers in Andhra Pradesh

The Indian Government has announced a financial relief initiative for tobacco growers in Andhra Pradesh adversely affected by the Michaung cyclone's heavy rains during the 2023-24 crop season. In response to the significant damage inflicted upon the flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco crops, the Centre has approved a one-time interest-free loan of Rs 10,000 for each affected grower. This assistance comes from the Grower Welfare Fund of the Tobacco Board and targets grower members whose crops were damaged. The initiative underscores the government's recognition of the hardships faced by the tobacco farming community in the wake of the cyclonic disturbance, aiming to provide immediate financial relief. The loan recovery will be executed through the deduction from the auction sale proceeds of the 2023-24 crop season.

Andhra Pradesh, along with Karnataka, is a primary producer of FCV tobacco in India. The cyclone, which occurred between December 3-5, 2023, caused extensive damage across several tobacco-growing districts in Andhra Pradesh, including Eluru, East Godavari, Kakinada, Prakasam, Nellore, Bapatla, Palnadu, and Guntur. Out of the total area of 75,355 hectares dedicated to FCV tobacco cultivation in the state, approximately 14,730 hectares—about 20% of the total plantation—suffered from various forms of damage such as washing out of crops, drowning of standing crops, and waterlogging leading to the wilting of the plants. This has significantly impacted the livelihood of thousands of tobacco growers in the region, necessitating government intervention.

In addition to the measures taken in Andhra Pradesh, the government has also addressed the plight of FCV tobacco growers in Karnataka, where drought conditions have been declared in almost all FCV tobacco-growing taluks except for two. To mitigate the impact on the livelihoods of tobacco growers in Karnataka, the government has permitted the sale of FCV tobacco on the Tobacco Board's auction platform for the 2023-24 crop season. This exemption includes waiving penalties for the sale of excess production by registered growers and the unauthorized production by unregistered growers, offering a reprieve to those affected by adverse climatic conditions in both states.