Current Affairs - Agriculture - Discussion

Andhra Pradesh received the Centre’s one-time interest-free working capital assistance of ₹50,000 per barn for Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco growers. Approved by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on September 26, 2026, the financial intervention is estimated at approximately ₹220 crore and is expected to benefit around 44,000 tobacco growers. The assistance is being provided through the Interest-Free Working Capital Assistance Scheme, with funds transferred directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Andhra Pradesh is also a major FCV tobacco-producing state, along with Karnataka, and the Tobacco Board is headquartered in Guntur.