A. Improvement of Soil Health:

To enrich the soil fertility, Board encouraging growers to raise green manure crops by arranging green manure seeds through State Government of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on subsidy basis or on free of cost based on existing Government norms.

B. Supply of Bio Pesticides:

Board is supplying bio pesticides to growers as a part of Integrated Pest Management for control of soil borne diseases in collaboration with NIPHM, Hyderabad by extending subsidy.

Use of bio pesticides moved to be a forward step in control of application of CPA and reduction in pesticide residual levels and thereby improving brand image of Indian Tobacco in the International Market. 

C. Special programmes on control of CPA residues:

• An interaction session has been organized by the Chairman, Tobacco Board on 29.01.2014 at Tobacco Board, Guntur with representatives of M/s. J T International Tobaccos and representative of M/s. CORESTA on sharing of views related to control of Crop Protection Agents in involving the integrity and brand image of Indian Tobacco.
  
  
• Board addressed a special interaction session at CTRI, Rajahmundry on control of CPA residues in leaf Tobacco with all stake holders on challenges and solutions in producing FCV Tobacco keeping in view the global scenario in the month of August’2014.
  
  
• The Board in collaboration with NIPHM has trained growers/Auction Superintendents from Andhra Pradesh on “On Farm Production of bio control agents and Microbial Biopesticides to promote AESA based plant Health Management in conjunction with Ecological Engineering for pest Management” at NIPHM, Hyderabad.
  
  
• Cluster wise grower meetings with Technical staff of Board have been organized by the Board to give a personal touch to the growers on the need to create awareness on control of Crop Protection Agents at farmers level.
  
  
• Meetings were organized with local pesticide dealers advising to sell only recommended pesticides.
  
  
• Meetings/Field visits were organized to address the growers with the scientists from CTRI/NIPHM and Trade representative.
  
  
• Hot spot areas were identified and special monitoring to grower fields for every fort night were taken up.
  
  
• As a part of Integrated Extension Communication the Board has brought out a pamphlet for distribution to the growers on the recommended practices for control of CPA’s in addition to erecting of flexi boards at Auction Platforms.

D. MPA Scheme in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka :

• Objective: To enhance productivity and quality of the tobacco through intensive extension programmes and better concentration by the teams from Tobacco Board, CTRI & ITC Ltd and other companies.
  
  
• There are 12 Model project areas in Andhra Pradesh, 5 in NLS area and 7 in SLS area, and 11 Model Project areas in Karnataka where best practices are implemented to enhance productivity/ Quality/integrity and sustainability of Tobacco. Major Tobacco manufacturing companies such as M/s. ITC Ltd., - ABD – ILTd and M/s. GPI Ltd are also involved in few areas in implementing extension and developmental schemes.

E. On Farm Trial Plots in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka :

• Objective: To disseminate the technology through conducting “Result Demonstration Plots” on new practices of crop production such as use of Organic fertilizers, topping & desuckering, balanced fertilization, varietal trials with pipeline varieties, hybrid seeds and lines yet to be released, bio-fertilisers etc.
  
  
• There are 30 number of ON FARM Trial Plots in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to study the performance of pipe line variety(TBST-2) in SLS/SBS region and Hybrid variety (LV 7) in NLS region in comparision with already established varieties such as Siri/ VT 1158(SLS/SBS) and K-326(NLS) and Kanchan(KLS) in terms of yield and quality.

F.Capacity Building Programme:

• Considering the changes in the quality perceptions of International customers, Board is taking it seriously and educating the growers at ground level to produce clean and quality Tobacco to the requirement and expectations of the International customers.

As a part of these educational programmes Board has conducted various training programmes to the growers.

Farmers were trained/re oriented on(GAP):

-      Insitu green manuring with green manure crops like Sunnhemp, Diancha, Pillipeesara for improvement of soil health.

-      Use of Right fertilizer in Right time, in Right dosage and in Right method      

-      Raising borders/trap crops for control of pest attack.

-      Installation of Pheromone traps and Yellow sticky traps for monitoring of pest prevalence.

-      Farmers were encouraged for mechanical control of insects through use of light traps instead of using pesticides.

-      Application of recommended crop protection agents and in recommended dosages.

-      Harvesting of matured/ripe leaves

-      Energy conservation measures to conserve energy upto 15-20% by modifying barn structures with Ventury Furnace & Glass Wool Roof Insulation.

-      Post Harvest Product Management measures were taken up by encouraging growers to construct bulk sheds/model storage facilities to protect the quality of Tobacco at farmer levels and avoid admixture of NTRM’s.

 G.  Collaboration with other organizations:

Colloboration between National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) Hyderabad and Tobacco Board:

 Tobacco Board in collaboration with NIPHM, Hyderabad conducted various programmes for the improvement  of plant health and quality of the leaf.

1. Imparted training to Board Officers and farmers on “On Farm Production of bio control agents and microbial bio pesticides to promote AESA based Plant health management in conjunction with Ecological engineering for pest Management”.

2. Leaf Analysis was carried out for pesticide residual levels of almost 105 pesticides in leaf samples and suggested corrective steps to be taken.

3. Supplied Back Pack sprayers for safer and economical application of pesticides.

4. Farmers were encouraged for mechanical control of insects through use of light traps instead of using pesticides.

5. Supplied bio pesticides to the farmers for control of soil borne diseases in both nursery and main field instead of applying pesticides.

Colloboration  between Central Tobacco Research Institute(CTRI), Rajahmundry and Tobacco Board:

 -      Awareness programmes in all soil regions have been organized on control of Crop Protection Agents involving scientists of CTRI, officials of state Agricultural   Department, Tobacco Traders, Growers, Pesticide delaers.

-      Farmers were addressed on Good Agricultural Practices by the scientists of CTRI in the training programmes conducted by Tobacco Board.

-      Supplying pure and quality seed in time to the growers.

-      Conducting chemical analysis of leaf samples and suggesting follow up action.

-      Recommending right type of fertilizers, right dose, right method and right time of application.

H.Awards to best growers:

With the concept to encourage the efforts of the growers attaining good quality and yields of Tobacco the Board has organized facilitation of one grower selected from each Auction Platform for 2013-14 crop season. The growers were facilitated on the eve of formation day celebration organized on 09.01.2015 with a citation of appreciation and cash award Rs.5000/each.