Tobacco farmers stage protest at auction centre in Ongole

Tobacco farmers, under the aegis of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, staged a dharna at the auction centre near Throvagunta in Ongole town of Prakasam district on Monday (May 25, 2026). As a part of the protest, the farmers set fire to tobacco bales, expressing their distress over stagnant prices in the market.

Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham district president Pamidi Venkat Rao, who participated in the protest, said, “Even after almost two months since the commencement of the tobacco auction centre, some farmers have still not been able to sell their bales. At the beginning of the auction, there were no bids for 25% of the bales. Now, that number has increased to 70%.”

He further said, “The farmers are worried about whether they will be able to sell tobacco this year. The auction began at ₹25,000 per quintal this year, while it had started at ₹28,000 per quintal last year. The companies claim that the reason for the decrease in the rate is mainly due to the taxes imposed by the Central government.”

Last year, ITC company reportedly earned ₹7,500 crore, but the farmers suffered losses. The farmers anticipate a loss in lakhs of rupees this year also. “In such a situation, the Centre should immediately intervene and help the farmers. Tobacco Board should allocated funds for the procurement of the tobacco in the State,” said Ch. Ranga Rao, Convenor of Samyukta Kisan Morcha.

“As the Union government is generating thousands of crores of rupees in revenue from the tobacco products, it is the responsibility of the Centre to respond immediately and support the farmers. The State government also should respond immediately and discuss the issue with the Centre to take steps to support the farmers,” he demanded.

The farmers from Enikepadu, Konijedu and other villages participated in the protest. The leaders of the All India Farmers’ Labour Union, A.P. Farmers’ Union, Bezawada Srinivasa Rao, and other associations have taken part in the dharna programme.