The Centre will take all measures to help tobacco farmers, said Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu.

He was participating in an interactive session with the tobacco farmers, trade and other stakeholders here on Tuesday afternoon, organised by the Guntur-based Tobacco Board. The Minister advised the Tobacco Board officials to prepare a comprehensive policy note on the requirements of the tobacco sector by the end of January.

A piecemeal approach would not do, he said, adding that the note should focus on increasing tobacco productivity, reducing cost of cultivation, alternative crops to tobacco, export incentives and related issues.

Filling vacancies

Earlier, K Sunitha, Executive Director of the board, spoke about the role of the Tobacco Board and its achievements over the years and also highlighted the challenges facing the sector. She also pleaded for the filling up of the many vacancies in the Tobacco Board in order to provide quality service to the sector.

Y Sivaji, former member of the Rajya Sabha and a representative of farmers, pleaded for a long-term, comprehensive policy on tobacco, with focus on alternative crops and gradual reduction in the area under cultivation, with as little pain to the farmer as possible.

G Satyanarayana, Vice-Chairman of the board, said the penalties on sale of excess tobacco should reduced in the auctions. He spoke about the other problems of tobacco growers.

G. Krishnakumar, Vice-president, ITC, said export incentives should be restored, duty drawback increased and GST on tobacco and tobacco products rationalised.

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