Production Policy – Fixing Crop Size

Every year Tobacco Board lays down production Policy and fixes crop size for different soil regions in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka taking into consideration various factors specified in clause (a) of sub section (2) of section 8 of Tobacco Board Act, 1975 like the demand for flue cured virginia tobacco in India and abroad and the marketability of different tobaccos etc. For projecting the demand, Tobacco Board ascertains the requirements of the manufacturers and the exporters. Board also takes into consideration the global supply situation; the carryover stocks lying in the market from the previous crops and also the specific demand for tobaccos grown in various areas such as Northern light soils, southern light soils and traditional black soils in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka light soils. Based on the demand projected, the Board evolves the production strategy and fixes crop targets area –wise. The views of tobacco growers and growers' associations will also be considered while arriving at production targets.

FCV Production Policy for Karnataka – 2014-15 Crop Season

The Board in its 137th meeting held on 21.03.2014 fixed a crop size of 104 M.Kgs for cultivation of Flue Cured Virginia tobacco during 2014-15 crop season in Karnataka. The Committee for registration of growers and others in its 78th meeting held on 11.04.14 has laid down the criteria for registration of growers and barn operators for 2014-15 crop season.

• The area for registration and production quota allotted are as follows:

FCV Production Policy for Andhra Pradesh 2014-15 Crop Season

The Board in its 138th meeting held on 25.07.2014 fixed a crop size of 172 m.kgs for cultivation of Flue Cured Virginia tobacco during 2014-15 crop season in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha i.e. same as last year. The Board while fixing the crop size had laid down broad crop regulatory framework with focus on containing the excess production of tobacco by the registered growers, which is as follows:

• Horizontal expansion of FCV tobacco cultivation shall not be permitted.
• The efforts of the Board shall be on increasing the per acre yields (vertical expansion) with focus on quality of the product.
• Expansion of FCV cultivation to new areas shall not be allowed.
• No new farmers will be permitted to take up FCV tobacco cultivation.
• Construction of new barns resulting in additional curing capacity shall not be allowed as the existing barn infrastructure will be sufficient to produce the crop fixed.
• Registered growers possessing unauthorised barns or constructing new barns or cultivating in new areas in violation of Act shall be identified and their registration will be cancelled.
• Central Black Soils and Bhadrachalam areas shall be closed for cultivation of FCV tobacco, by allowing shifting of remaining barns.
• Registered growers shall not use CPAs indiscriminately resulting in quality problems.
• The production from the excess areas planted by registered growers over and above the area authorised will be treated as ‘unauthorised production’ from 2014-15 crop season onwards.

The Committee for registration of growers and others in its 80th meeting held on 08.08.2014 has laid down the criteria for registration of growers and barn operators for 2014-15 crop season.  The soil region wise area and quantity to be authorised per a licenced barn and the maximum number of barns permitted for grant of licence per individual grower in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha during 2014-15 crop season considering the crop size of 172 m.kgs are as follows-