# Farmers block NH-16 in Ongole over tobacco prices 2026-08-08T02:56:47+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Hundreds of tobacco farmers blocked National Highway 16 at Tangutur toll plaza near Throvagunta in Ongole on Wednesday, demanding remunerative prices. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) Prakasam district convener, Chunduri Ranga Rao, accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of ignoring three months of protests. He said the CM recently announced procurement of low-grade tobacco at Rs 110 per kg, while the average price is Rs 1,877. Farmers want a minimum of Rs 200 per kg and a Rs 1,000-crore procurement fund. CPI leader R. Venkat Rao noted that tobacco exports earn lakhs of crores in foreign exchange, yet the government hesitates to help farmers. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: Andhra Pradesh, NH-16 blockade, Prakasam district, remunerative prices, Samyukta Kisan Morcha, tobacco farmers Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/farmers-block-nh-16-in-ongole-over-tobacco-prices/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/farmers-block-nh-16-in-ongole-over-tobacco-prices/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.