AO Markfed procures HD burley tobacco worth Rs.17.20 crore

Andhra Pradesh Markfed has procured HD burley tobacco from crisis hit farmers across the State worth Rs.17.20 crore.

Following a directive from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, they launched procurement from June 19. As on July 5, 2245 bales weighing 2,088 metric tonnes were procured through 11 centres opened across Prakasam, Guntur and other districts.

AP Markfed Managing Director (in-charge) Dilli Rao said the procurement process is being carried out transparently and farmer-friendly through digital platforms such as CMAPP and APAIMS.

Dilli Rao informed that they have opened procurement centres at Inkollu, Pangulur, Parchur, BK Palem (Private Godown), Chirala in Bapatla district, Guntur, Pedakakani in Guntur district, Chilakaluripet, Edlapadu in Palnadu district and Gundlapalli in Prakasam district. He the value of procurement was Rs.17.20 crore beneifting 724 farmers. The procurement process will continue up to September 2025, he added .

Dilli Rao urged the farmers to register in the CMAPP app with the help of Village Agriculture Assistants. Only farmers registered under APAIMS will be eligible for procurement. SMS-based communication will inform farmers about date of procurement, pocurement centre and quantity allotted, he said, making it very clear that only those scheduled via SMS will be permitted to sell their produce.

He said bales must be fee from hanging stalks, clean and uniform in shape with moisture content of 20% and weight between 25 kg and 150 kg. Bales with fungus-infected tobacco or foreign matter will be rejected. Bales with moisture above 20% or not conforming to quality standards will be rejected.

He said the procurement centre process includes grade and price determination, biometric authentication, QR Code tagging, storage at warehouse and digital payment to farmers.

Farmers have been advised to contact their Village Agriculture Assistants, Agriculture Officers, or Markfed officials for any clarification.