Tobacco output may rise 8.7%

The tobacco production in India is estimated to rise to 750 million kg in 2009-10 due to the soaring prices of the commodity and scanty rainfall leaving farmers with no option but to opt for tobacco crop. Increased preference to tobacco crop in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka has forced Tobacco Board to upwardly revised its tobacco output forecast for the current season.

The Tobacco Board had pegged the production figure at 700 million kg in September 2009, when sowing was in progress. However, the board has revised the tobacco output to 750 million kg in the wake of more and more farmers, especially in major tobacco growing states — Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, turning to tobacco crop. The total tobacco production in India stood at 690 million kg in 2008-09.

Tobacco crop sustains erratic rainfall conditions and can be sown during the period from September to December. The scanty rainfall had taken its toll on other crops this year forcing farmers to grow tobacco.

“Given the climatic conditions, farmers found it more economical to grow tobacco, prices of which were also lucrative. As a result, the volume of tobacco production is likely to increase by 50 million kg,” said J Suresh Babu, chairman, Tobacco Board. “With additional output, exports are likely to increase to $800 million in 2009-10 as compared with $730 million last year,” Babu said.