Sat May 24 11:36:48 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
The Andhra Pradesh government has mandated tobacco companies to purchase Burley tobacco from farmers at a set price: ₹12,000 per quintal for Grade A and ₹5,400 per quintal for Grade B. Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu directed companies to begin purchasing immediately and assured that the government would provide financial assistance for processing. The government is also willing to provide staff to help in the procurement. The state is committed to buying any remaining tobacco through A.P. Markfed at the end of the season if needed, ensuring all produce is sold. The state also intends to promote alternative crops in the coming year to reduce the Burley tobacco supply. Other topics discussed were Tobacco Board support and protection of farmers.
**News Article:**
**Andhra Pradesh Government Mandates Tobacco Purchase Prices to Aid Farmers**
**MARTUR (BAPATLA), May 24, 2025** – In a move to support struggling tobacco farmers, the Andhra Pradesh government has mandated that tobacco companies purchase Burley tobacco at a fixed price of ₹12,000 per quintal for Grade A and ₹5,400 per quintal for Grade B. The decision, announced by Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu after a meeting with stakeholders, is effective immediately, with companies directed to begin purchases on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
“Companies should not return the tobacco on pretexts like quality or others, but must purchase the entire tobacco produced in Andhra Pradesh,” stated Minister Atchannaidu. The government estimates that approximately 70 million Kgs of Burley tobacco were produced in the state this year.
To facilitate the purchase, the state government will provide financial assistance, allocating ₹200 crore for processing costs, estimated at ₹17 per Kg. Minister Atchannaidu also offered additional staff from the Agriculture Department and A.P. Markfed to aid in procurement. Furthermore, the government has committed to purchasing any remaining unsold tobacco at the end of the season through A.P. Markfed, ensuring farmers are not left with unsold product.
Addressing the long-term outlook, Minister Atchannaidu announced plans to promote alternative crops in the next agricultural year, aiming to reduce the oversupply of Burley tobacco.
“Both government and companies should protect the lives of the farmers,” emphasized Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, noting that companies should share their profits with the farmers.
Chairman of the Tobacco Board of India, Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu, pledged the Board’s support despite not having a direct mandate over Burley tobacco.
The government has pledged to closely monitor the entire procurement process to ensure the success of the initiative and protect the interests of Andhra Pradesh’s tobacco farmers.
First Piper 