Farmers block NH-16 in Ongole seeking remunerative prices for tobacco
Tobacco farmers in Ongole, India, blocked a national highway to protest against low procurement prices for Virginia tobacco. Farmers and union leaders criticized the state government for failing to enforce fair pricing and favoring corporate interests over agricultural livelihoods.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between agricultural producers and corporate-aligned government policies in India's agrarian economy.
Demanding remunerative prices for Virginia tobacco, hundreds of farmers blocked national highway (NH) 16 at Tangutur toll plaza near Throvagunta in Ongole on Wednesday. Consequently, several vehicles were stranded for kilometres along the highway.
Speaking to the media during the protest, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) Prakasam district committee convener Chunduri Ranga Rao alleged that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had failed to show even a minimal response, despite tobacco farmers staging various forms of protests.
“The SKM has organised several protests over the past three months demanding the State government to offer remunerative prices for tobacco. The Chief Minister recently announced that low-grade tobacco will be procured at ₹110 per kg, while its average price stands at ₹1,877 per kg,” he said.
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