Crop insurance scheme for tobacco farmers sought

Guntur (AP), Feb 15 (PTI) The Tobacco Board hasappealed to the Centre to extend crop insurance scheme totobacco farmers.

Crop insurance scheme will protect tobacco farmersfrom financial losses during natural calamities, Tobacco BoardChairman G K Vardhan Rao told reporters here last evening.

The board disbursed ex-gratia totalling Rs 27 crore to41,000 cyclone-battered tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh in2010, he said.

The board, a Government body, aims at the planneddevelopment of tobacco industry in the country.

Six tobacco auction platforms will be opened in AndhraPradesh on February 24, Rao said.

He warned traders of severe action if tobacco ispurchased outside auction platforms.