Tobacco farmers stage tractor rally in Ongole demanding fair prices
A large number of Virginia tobacco farmers held a tractor rally demanding remunerative prices in Ongole on Friday (June 19, 2026). Accusing the trading companies
A large number of Virginia tobacco farmers held a tractor rally demanding remunerative prices in Ongole on Friday (June 19, 2026). Accusing the trading companies of fleecing the farmers, the demonstrators demanded that the government allocate ₹1,000 crore to safeguard the interests of the farmers and procurement of tobacco through a public sector enterprise.
Under the banner of the ‘Samyuktha Kisan Morcha’ and led by its District Convener, Chunduri Ranga Rao, the rally originated at the mini stadium on South Bypass. Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham State president Gujjula Eswaraiah, General Secretary Prabhakar Reddy, All India Rythu Coolie Sangham State secretary Chittipati Venkateswarlu, President V.
Krishnaiah joined the protest and extended support to the agitating tobacco farmers. In spite of the farmers staging demonstrations at the auction centres for the last month, the minimum support price of ₹20,000 per quintal announced by the government is far from meeting the input costs, the leaders alleged.
Ranga Rao demanded that the government arrange procurement through a government agency within the next five to six days or face the farmers’ wrath.”
The BriefWire