IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF FLUE CURED VIRGINIA TOBACCO IN SLS AND SBS REGIONS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco is a highly remunerative crop fetching huge benefits to farmers in the tobacco growing regions of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The present study is an attempt to assess the impact of FCV tobacco crop on socioeconomic status of tobacco farmers in SLS (Southern Light Soils) and SBS (Southern Black Soils) regions of Andhra Pradesh. The study was conducted during the year 2017-2018 in Southern Light Soils (SLS) and Southern Black Soils (SBS) regions of Prakasam and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 10 tobacco and 10 non-tobacco farmers from each auction platform was selected, therefore data was collected from 120 tobacco and 120 non-tobacco (bengal gram and red gram) farmers. The average net returns from tobacco grown is Rs 25,00030,000/acre in SLS and SBS region respectively compared to bengal gram (Rs 10,700/acre) and red gram (Rs 6000/acre). High level of socio-economic impact is observed for tobacco growers in terms of annual income, returns, possession of assets, information seeking behavior, food security, habitat security and social empowerment than non-tobacco farmers. Less availability of ground water, wild boar damage, fluctuating weather conditions, yearly price fluctuations, high labour wages are the severe constraints in SLS and SBS regions.