Severe drought in Andhra Pradesh hits 653 mandals, YSRCP demands farmer relief

YSRCP State general secretary for agriculture and farmers' welfare M.V.S. Nagi Reddy has called on the Andhra Pradesh government to assess crop losses immediately and compensate farmers on a per-acre basis through direct bank transfers, citing a 54.73% rainfall deficit that has affected 653 of the state's 685 mandals.

Addressing a press conference at the party central office at Tadepalli, Mr. Nagi Reddy demanded that the government declare a drought emergency and announce a special relief package for farmers in view of the severe rainfall shortfall and resulting crop losses.

Sharp decline in cultivation area

The extent of cultivation in Andhra Pradesh has declined sharply, covering only 69% of the normal cultivated area, compared to 98.3% nationally and 91.84% in Telangana. The situation is particularly serious in Annamayya, Prakasam, Chittoor, Markapuram and Visakhapatnam districts, Mr. Nagi Reddy said.

Several major crops, including groundnut, cotton, maize, jowar, millets and pulses, have been affected by the adverse conditions. The YSRCP leader criticised the government's advice to farmers to shift to alternative crops, arguing that such recommendations would not help unless adequate rainfall, irrigation facilities and subsidised seed were made available.

Paddy cultivation row

Mr. Nagi Reddy questioned the suggestion that farmers in the Krishna delta should reduce paddy cultivation, calling such a proposal impractical given the region's dependence on paddy. In Krishna district, paddy accounted for 3.28 lakh acres of the 3.34 lakh acres under cultivation, he pointed out.

Rising costs, falling prices

Farmers are facing a double burden, with cultivation costs rising even as market prices for several crops have declined, the YSRCP leader said. Cotton, onion, maize, banana and tobacco growers are among those affected by the price situation.

Mr. Nagi Reddy demanded the immediate clearance of pending input subsidy, crop insurance, interest-free loan benefits and Annadata Sukhibhava payments. He called for restoration of free crop insurance and demanded financial assistance to the families of farmers who died by suicide. The government should also ensure that available irrigation water is utilised effectively to protect standing crops, he said.

Source: The Hindu