Parchur: The State government has instilled confidence among black burley tobacco farmers by launching tobacco procurement operations through Markfed on Saturday and announcing its commitment to purchase crops until the end of the season. Private companies had been reluctant to participate in procurement, leaving farmers without proper pricing and facing severe hardships. Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao highlighted these challenges to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Achennaidu, Agriculture Principal Secretary Rajasekhar, and Commissioner Dhilli Rao.

State officials personally assessed the ground-level problems faced by the farmers in a meeting held at the camp office of Yeluri. Following review meetings with various companies that showed no progress, the government escalated the matter, leading to a crucial Cabinet decision for direct government procurement through Markfed. DM of Markfed Karunasri inaugurated the first tobacco procurement center at Parchur AMC Yard, realising the persistent efforts of Parchur MLA Yeluri Sambasiva Rao, who repeatedly brought farmers’ difficulties to the government’s attention.

The ceremonious sale of operations saw the purchase of 6.40 quintals from farmer Dasi Kiran of Nagulapalem village at Rs 12000 per quintal. The Markfed DM announced plans to establish procurement centers everywhere and purchase from every farmer until the season ends. She said that arrangements are being made intensively to facilitate doorstep procurement. She said that the government is arranging tobacco company experts, procurement equipment, storage warehouses, and additional staff. The timing was considered auspicious for the Saturday launch, as suitable dates were not available on the initially planned June 14-15, she explained.