Call for highly productive tobacco to boost export

Rajahmundry, July 26 (UNI) The scientific fraternity should develop varieties of highly productive tobacco, to cater to the requirement of global market, said J Suresh Babu, Executive Director and Chairman in-charge Tobacco Board, here today.

Addressing the four-day Staff Research Council (SRC) meetings of Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI), he said the NLS- area grown tobacco fetched an average price of Rs 46.33 kg, this year, with an additional increase of Rs 10.70 kg compared to the previous year.

Stating that the NLS-tobacco was highly productive and profitable, he said the export of tobacco products like cigarettes and bidis, had drastically come own by 35 per cent, this year.

Dr Babu said the domestic consumption should be brought down and efforts made to liverage the exports. A new variety of international acceptance should be developed, he added.

CTRI director, V Krishnamurthy said, of the world tobacco production at 5814 million kg, China ranked first with 1945 million kg followed by Bazil with 750 million kg. India is in the third place with 700 million kg.

Mr Babu said, the tobacco export during 2005-06 had registered a two per cent growth besides generating Rs 1312 crore revenue. Though the production was less, good market was a welcome sign, he added UNI BAK JJ 1950