SWABI: Tobacco growers in Swabi district have started raising tobacco nurseries, which is a prerequisite for a good yield and quality production of the crop.

The livelihood of majority of 1.8 million population of the district is directly or indirectly linked with the tobacco production and it is considered one of the main cash crops for the dwellers. Swabi is called ‘the house of tobacco’ and several leading politicians here are either cigarette manufactures or tobacco entrepreneurs.

During a visit to the fields on Wednesday, the growers told this correspondent that preparation of soil for the nursery started in November and December. Afterwards, the growers sow the seed and the nursery is covered with plastic sheets to protect it from the frosty weather. Plantation usually starts in late February or early March.

Safdar Khan, a tobacco grower of Maneri Bala village, told this correspondent that the farmers in Swabi grew two varieties: white patta (WP) tobacco and flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco. The former is widely used in sniff (naswar) and the later in cigarette manufacturing.

####Plantation to start in late February

The growers also said that 40 tobacco purchasing companies have announced their required quota for 2015 through Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB). The multinational companies are the leading buyers of the crop since its cultivation in the district from the British colonial era.

Kashtkar Coordination Council (KCC) members said that the total demand of the FCV stood at 65.27 million kilogrammes, WP tobacco 1.22 million kgs, dark air-cured tobacco 2.35 million kgs and burley tobacco 0.16 million kgs. The total demand of all varieties of tobacco stands at 69 million kgs.

The Pakistan Tobacco Company requires 37.4 million kgs, followed by another multinational company Phillip Morris (Pakistan) Ltd 15.86 million kgs, Khyber Tobacco Company 2.8 million kgs and FL and Company 2 million kgs. The demand of the remaining 36 companies is smaller in quantity.

The PTB officials said that the tobacco growers were advised to strike agreements with the tobacco companies of their own choice and plan production for 2015 crop, keeping in view requirements of the company. They warned that PTB would take appropriate legal action against any violation of law during marketing of tobacco. It also asked the farmers not to sow non-recommended varieties.

However, the growers alleged that the quota for the 2015 crop had been reduced by the companies, but still some of them had been encouraging the growers to cultivate more tobacco. They said that the campaign to produce more tobacco was aimed at production of surplus crop.

Liaquat Yousufzai, general secretary of KCC, said that they had asked the growers to grow the crop according to the announced quota of the buyers.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2015