Mysuru Tobacco Farmers Burn Crop in Protest Over Plummeting Prices
In a dramatic display of frustration, tobacco growers in the Mysuru region of Karnataka took to the streets on Wednesday, burning their commercial crop and dumping it on roads at multiple locations across Hunsur and Periyapatna taluks. This protest erupted following a steep and sudden crash in tobacco prices, which has left farmers struggling to cover production costs.
Price Crash Sparks Agitation
According to the protesting farmers, the price of high-quality tobacco had recently plummeted from Rs 315 per kg to Rs 260 per kg. On Wednesday, when the price further dropped to Rs 240 per kg, the situation reached a boiling point. Farmers reported receiving an average of only Rs 230 per kg, a figure that falls significantly below their production expenses.
Ramegowda, the general secretary of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha who led the protest, emphasized the dire circumstances. "Tobacco growers are in a dire situation, and both the state and Union governments must intervene," he urged, highlighting that the current prices are unsustainable for farmers' livelihoods.
Protest Withdrawn After Official Assurance
The intense agitation led to the suspension of the tobacco auction at Kattemalavadi in Hunsur taluk. However, the protest was later withdrawn after officials assured the farmers that a meeting would soon be arranged with the district administration to discuss their concerns. This development offers a glimmer of hope for resolving the crisis, though tensions remain high.
The farmers' actions underscore the broader challenges in agricultural markets, where price volatility can devastate rural economies. The incident has drawn attention to the need for stable pricing mechanisms and government support to prevent such drastic measures in the future.
