Archive · 30 Jul 2026
AP Govt to Spend Rs 188 Cr on Tobacco Procurement
The Andhra Pradesh government announced it will spend 188 crore rupees to buy 94 million kilograms of a type of tobacco called flue‑cured Virginia.
Farmers will get 20 rupees for each kilogram they sell.
The money comes from both the state and the central government.
The plan is to help farmers who are losing money because cheaper tobacco is coming from other countries.
The state’s agriculture minister, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, said the government is ready to start buying the tobacco soon.
He also said that the previous government did not buy as much tobacco and that the new plan will help farmers more.
He asked the opposition leader, Jagan Mohan Reddy, to give helpful ideas instead of making comments that could scare farmers.
The government will work with the Tobacco Board and traders to make sure the farmers get paid.
Andhra Pradesh will spend Rs 188 crore to procure 94 million kg of flue‑cured Virginia tobacco, offering Rs 20 per kg assistance.
The assistance is a joint effort between the state and the Indian central government, with procurement to start in the coming days.
The move follows earlier support in 2014‑15 and aims to counter price pressures from cheaper imports and global market conditions.
Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu criticized former YSRCP administration for lower procurement levels and urged opposition leader Jagan Mohan Reddy to issue constructive farmer‑focused remarks.
The government says it is coordinating with the Tobacco Board, traders and companies to secure the tobacco supply for farmers.
- Who
- Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and the Andhra Pradesh government
- What
- Rs 20 per kg assistance for procurement of 94 million kg of flue‑cured Virginia tobacco, costing Rs 188 crore
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- to support tobacco growers facing price pressures and counter cheaper imports
- Assistance per kg
- Rs 20
- Total procurement
- 94 million kg
- Total spend
- Rs 188 crore
- Minister
- Kinjarapu Atchannaidu
- State
- Andhra Pradesh
