New Delhi, March 13: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a significant meeting regarding the challenges faced by tobacco farmers in Karnataka, with former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in attendance.
Goyal shared on the social media platform ‘X’, “It was a pleasure to meet former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. In his presence, I convened a meeting with Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and representatives from Karnataka’s tobacco-producing regions. We discussed promoting exports, seeking new global opportunities, and strengthening income sources and livelihoods for farmers.”
H.D. Kumaraswamy, currently the Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, also took to social media to share details of the meeting. He noted, “In the presence of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, a meaningful discussion took place regarding the challenges faced by tobacco farmers with Union Minister Piyush Goyal and representatives from Karnataka’s tobacco-producing areas.”
He added, “Goyal responded positively to several key demands from producers, including immediate procurement of tobacco, expansion of exports to international markets, and exploration of new foreign markets. He also instructed senior officials from his ministry and key stakeholders in the tobacco procurement industry to deliberate on this matter and take necessary steps to provide timely relief to farmers, aiming to address the ongoing crisis.”
The meeting included several prominent leaders, such as former minister S.R. Mahesh, Mysore-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, MLAs A. Manju, G.D. Harish Gowda, C.N. Manjegowda, Kolar MP Mallesh Babu, former MLA Mahadevu, Ashwin Kumar, and senior Janata Dal (S) leader Krishnanayak.
In Karnataka, tobacco (primarily FCV – Flue-Cured Virginia tobacco) is a major cash crop, supporting the livelihoods of millions of farmers in regions like Mysore, Kodagu, and Kolar. Farmers have been grappling with issues such as low prices, high production, adverse weather, and export barriers. The meeting focused on immediate procurement, boosting exports, and seeking new markets, which could help increase farmers’ incomes and alleviate the current crisis.
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