Tadepalli (Andhra Pradesh) [India], October 12 : YSRCP General Secretary MVS Nagi Reddy on Sunday strongly criticised the coalition government led by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for its complete failure in the agriculture sector, stating that the state is witnessing a severe cultivation crisis.
Speaking at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli, Nagi Reddy said the decline in cultivation and government negligence have pushed lakhs of farmers and agricultural labourers into distress.
He said that due to the government's failures, the total cultivated area in Andhra Pradesh has fallen drastically. During YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's five-year tenure, an average of 32.94 lakh hectares was cultivated every kharif season. However, in the last two years of coalition rule, it has dropped to just 28.19 lakh hectares, a fall of 11.73 lakh hectares, leading to a loss of over Rs 3,000 crore in agricultural employment and production value.
Nagi Reddy said that the government's withdrawal of free crop insurance has resulted in significant losses for farmers affected by drought and floods. Crops like paddy, chilli, tobacco, mango, onion, and tomato suffered severely, but the government provided no relief.
He recalled that during Jagan's administration, all farmers received input assistance on time, price stabilisation funds were created, and even tenant farmers were supported.
When YS Jagan Mohan Reddy became Chief Minister, the state treasury had only Rs 100 crore, yet his government stood firmly by farmers. Despite financial strain, Jagan launched the Rythu Bharosa scheme, provided Rs 12,500 investment support, ensured free crop insurance, and released payments on time. In contrast, Chandrababu Naidu began with Rs 7,000 crore but failed to deliver even basic support to farmers.
He condemned the government for denying farmers minimum support prices, delaying payments, and removing welfare schemes like free insurance. Farmers are forced to dump mangoes, onions, and tomatoes on roads for the first time in the state's history. The government remains silent.
Nagi Reddy revealed that 29 farmers have committed suicide since the coalition took power, but not a single family has been compensated.
He demanded immediate release of financial aid, restoration of crop insurance, and revival of procurement through MARKFED.
"The rural economy is collapsing because of poor governance. Farmers and farm workers have lost livelihoods. This is not development, this is destruction," Nagi Reddy warned.
He urged the government to wake up to the crisis and take immediate measures to protect Andhra Pradesh's farmers before it is too late.