Tobacco Farmers Launch Indefinite Protest in Hassan Over Price Crash
In a significant development for Karnataka's agricultural sector, tobacco growers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangha have announced an indefinite protest starting Monday. The demonstration will take place in front of the Tobacco Board office in Ramanathapura, Hassan district, as farmers demand urgent intervention from both the state and Union governments.
Severe Price Decline Sparks Farmer Anger
The protest comes amid what farmers describe as a catastrophic crash in tobacco prices that has left them financially devastated. According to growers from Mysuru and Hassan districts, the situation has reached a critical point where immediate government action is necessary to prevent widespread agricultural distress.
"We were given loans and other facilities citing good prices for tobacco. This year, growers are struggling due to the price crash," said SV Yoganna, a farmers' leader from Arakalgud who is spearheading the protest movement.
Dramatic Reduction in Market Participation
The scale of the price collapse becomes evident when comparing this year's market conditions with previous seasons. Farmers report that approximately 25 companies participated in tobacco auctions last year, creating competitive bidding that resulted in favorable prices for growers.
This year, however, the market has contracted dramatically with only six to seven companies participating in auctions. The highest price currently being offered for high-quality tobacco stands at just Rs 230 per kilogram, representing a significant decline from previous years.
Even more concerning, according to Yoganna, is that "several varieties of tobacco have no takers at all in the market," leaving farmers with harvested crops they cannot sell at any price.
Specific Demands from Protesting Farmers
The protesting tobacco growers have presented two clear demands to government authorities:
- Government procurement of this year's tobacco harvest to provide immediate relief to farmers facing financial ruin
- Compensation of Rs 25 lakh per farmer to repay loans taken for tobacco cultivation and related infrastructure construction
Yoganna explained the rationale behind these demands: "The World Health Organization wants the Union government to ban tobacco cultivation due to its adverse impact on health and the environment. We are ready to switch to new crops with immediate effect. Our demand is procurement of this year's harvest and compensation of Rs 25 lakh to repay loans taken for tobacco-related infrastructure."
Price Trajectory Shows Alarming Decline
Detailed accounts from growers reveal just how rapidly market conditions have deteriorated. When tobacco auctions began in October, the rate for high-grade tobacco stood at approximately Rs 320 per kilogram. Since then, prices have plummeted by around Rs 100 per kilogram, representing a decline of nearly one-third in just a few months.
This unexpected price crash has dealt what farmers describe as "a severe blow to the farming community," particularly because tobacco cultivation typically requires substantial investment through bank loans and other financing sources. With prices collapsing, farmers now face the prospect of being unable to repay these debts.
Indefinite Protest Planned Until Government Responds
The farmers have made it clear that their protest will continue indefinitely until they receive a satisfactory response from government authorities. "From Monday onwards, we will hold an indefinite protest seeking a response from the state and central governments," Yoganna declared, emphasizing the seriousness of their situation.
The protest represents a critical test for agricultural policy in Karnataka, particularly regarding crop diversification and farmer support mechanisms. As tobacco cultivation faces increasing scrutiny for health and environmental reasons, the current crisis highlights the challenges farmers face when attempting to transition to alternative crops without adequate financial support and market safeguards.
