Cultivation of NRVs tobacco becomes serious issue for PTB, exporters

(Business Recorder) The cultivation of non-recommended varieties (NRVs) of tobacco has become a matter of deep concern for Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), tobacco companies and exporters. According to sources in PTB, these varieties usually have low reducing sugar contents and high nicotine level blight the savour/flavours of cigarettes and the smokers avoid it, resulting in inflicting losses on the blenders.
The tobacco farmers of Swabi, Mardan and Charssada have cultivated nurseries of non-recommended varieties (NRVs) like Swati, Alishery, Spin Dandi, Kelabutai etc. Exporters also suffer losses due to rejection of their orders and the blenders are hesitant to use such varieties due to rejection by the consumers. Continued