The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) delivered a scathing critique of the current coalition government on Saturday, asserting that its negligence and flawed agricultural policies have plunged the farming community into a severe crisis.
During a press conference held at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli, General Secretary M.V.S. Nagi Reddy highlighted an alarming decline in cultivation across Andhra Pradesh, marking one of the sharpest drops in decades. He pointed out that while former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure saw an average of 32.94 lakh hectares cultivated during each kharif season, the present coalition government has overseen a reduction to a mere 28.19 lakh hectares. This significant decrease, he emphasized, has led to a staggering loss of over ₹3,000 crore in agricultural employment and production value.
Nagi Reddy further accused the government of abolishing the vital free crop insurance scheme, leaving farmers vulnerable to the devastating impacts of droughts and floods. He detailed widespread damage to key crops like paddy, chili, tobacco, mango, onion, and tomato, lamenting the government’s complete failure to provide any form of compensation or much-needed relief to those affected.
“When Mr. Jagan took office, the state treasury held a meager ₹100 crore, yet his government consistently supported farmers, who never experienced such profound hardships,” Nagi Reddy stated. “Today, despite a healthy ₹7,000 crore being available, the Chandrababu Naidu government has failed to disburse even the second installment of essential input support.”
He also criticized the administration for neglecting to guarantee minimum support prices (MSP) and for notorious delays in farmer payments. According to Nagi Reddy, the abrupt withdrawal of crucial welfare measures, including crop insurance and input aid, has driven farmers to desperate acts, such as dumping their valuable produce like mangoes, onions, and tomatoes onto the roads – a truly “unprecedented and tragic situation.”
In a somber revelation, Nagi Reddy reported that 29 farmers have tragically taken their own lives since the coalition government assumed power, with none of their families receiving any compensation. He urged immediate action, demanding the swift reinstatement of crop insurance, the release of all outstanding financial assistance, and the revitalization of procurement operations through MARKFED.
“The rural economy is on the brink of collapse,” he warned. “Farmers and agricultural laborers have lost their livelihoods. This isn’t progress; it’s pure destruction.” He implored the government to intervene urgently and protect the state’s farmers before the crisis escalates beyond control.