We have 50,816 registered entities for 2020 production and we estimate that this represents about 508,160 individuals. Out of this 137,203 individuals are estimated to be on auction sale category. The 2020 selling markets have opened, with a lot of restrictive measures, one of which is to reduce the number of people on the market, as such we have restricted growers not to visit the market, but rather use IT products on phones to get market information.

Most workers rarely wash hands it should upon employers to emphasis it in order to avoid infections.

The farmer's payments should be made directly to the banks so that farmers use mobile Apps for bank transactions and pay through mobile transactions and avoid going to the banks to make deposits.

Drums and Water systems to follow basic hygiene guidelines e.g. a drum of water in a malaria zone could be a breeding ground for another problem.

The restrictions to the free movement of people is affecting the labour supply and may cause labour shortages in the tobacco growing sector. There have been delays in the delivery of inputs that are required to grow tobacco (fertilizers and pesticides) this situation can have a significant impact in the domestic tobacco output. The payments for the tobacco purchased in Bulgaria during 2019 have not yet been completed which burdens tobacco growers.

Contracts were reduced prior to this event as purchasers continue their normal shift away from the USA and to cheaper sources of tobacco and no changes have been made. The USA was lucky that the timing did not create a significant disruption as flue-cured transplanting had just begun and most of the crop is still in the greenhouse with ground preparations being made. Tobacco companies should react quickly to make commitments to growers that will help prevent a significant loss of farms as growers struggle with many challenges to sell their crops.n

The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted the free movement of goods which has created difficulties when sending samples to prospective buyers which is a crucial part of the tobacco marketing process. If the need for quarantine measures continues for a long-time the tobacco output will be affected.

If the visitors log can be made on line or like an app on phone that eliminates contact between the drivers and farm staff, it would be the best.

The markets will open but with very strict protocols to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Tobacco Growers will be represented by a representative of the Association.

The most important farmers have expressed significant worries due to possible shortage of workers as consequence of closing the borders.

Before drop farmers need to know when, time, location that they can get materials, central locations are appropriate.

It depends on the integrity of customer handling now. You better think of introducing bags used once other than reusable bags to avoid COVID19 transfer from one person to another because you will encourage all customers getting affected.

The sudden suspension of auctions in the State of Karnataka came just a few days before the scheduled March 2020 has left tobacco growers with 4,000 to 5,000 tons of unsold tobacco. At the time of auction suspension, a total of around 140,000 tons of FCV tobacco remained to be auctioned in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Even before the closure of various auction platforms the trade remained uninspiring due to lesser participation of overseas players. Chinese firms were absent this year hitting the prospects of farmers realizing good prices for their produce.n

The longer the distance between the trucks and drivers with the farmer the best.

Due to COVID-19 tobacco companies have supplied lesser amounts of inputs to prepare for a possible shortage of materials in the future. Tobacco companies are supplying inputs only for the formation of seedling beds to be able to serve a greater number of growers due to logistical restrictions. In the tobacco sector, we have seen a decrease in the hiring of labor, both in companies and the grower himself is using less labor.

In Africa it may not be a driver but some one on bicycle, motorcycle or foot, these need to keep social distances as well.

The economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 together with the effects of the inflation are severely affecting tobacco growers. The rising costs of inputs has eroded the profitability of tobacco growing in Argentina. We have petitioned the Government to reopen the tobacco factories as the lack of cigarettes will affect the distribution of Funds by the Special Tobacco Fund (FET).