Andhra Pradesh: Tobacco crop worst hit in 3 districts due to cyclone

Guntur: Cyclone Nivar affected tobacco gardens in West Godavari, Prakasam and Nellore districts in the state. Crop damage was more in West Godavari and Prakasam districts compared to Nellore district. According to sources in the Tobacco Board, 40-days-old gardens were worst hit due to Cyclone Nivar. Damage was less in 20-days-old gardens.

The board was expecting minimum 30 percent less yield during this season.

The board had permitted 116 million kgs of yield for this season. The officials were yet to get crop damage details due to Nivar Cyclone. They will start enumeration process to get primary assessment within two days.

Speaking to 'The Hans India', Tobacco Board chairman Yadlapati Raghunath Babu said, "We are estimating 30 percent less yield in Andhra Pradesh. We are expecting farmers will produce 15 million kgs of more tobacco yield in Karnataka state during this season."

A farmer T Krishnaiah said, "During last year, we did not get better price for tobacco due to reduction of demand for tobacco and suffered

heavy losses. Due to Cyclone Nivar, tobacco gardens worst hit.

We will get less yield and inferior quality yield."