📍 Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh – The challenges faced by farmers in Andhra Pradesh have sparked intense political debate, with former Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy criticizing the TDP government’s policies under Chandrababu Naidu. Farmers are grappling with severe hardships, including a lack of access to essential resources like seeds and fertilizers, resulting in significant financial losses. In contrast, the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had implemented welfare schemes that directly benefited farmers and improved their livelihoods.
YSRCP’s Farmer-Centric Initiatives
🔹 YSR Rythu Bharosa Scheme – One of the most impactful programs, this scheme provided financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 per farmer family over three years, helping them manage agricultural expenses. The initiative also included zero-interest loans, free borewells, cold storage facilities, and food processing units, reducing financial burdens and enhancing farm productivity.
🔹 YSR Zero Interest Crop Loan Scheme – To protect farmers from debt traps, this scheme allowed farmers to borrow up to ₹1 lakh with zero interest if repaid within a year. The direct disbursement of subsidies into farmers’ accounts reinforced government support for the agricultural sector.
TDP Government’s Policy Reversals & Growing Farmer Distress
However, since taking office, the TDP government has reportedly dismantled several key support systems. Kakani Govardhan Reddy warns that the removal of farmer-friendly schemes has deepened the crisis, with reports indicating losses of up to ₹40,000 per acre due to lack of government intervention and inadequate procurement center support.
🚨 Key Issues Under TDP Rule:
✔️ Discontinuation of the Annadata Sukhibhava Scheme, which provided crucial financial aid to farmers.
✔️ Failure to regulate middlemen, leaving farmers vulnerable to market fluctuations.
✔️ Chili farmers alone have incurred losses of ₹6,000 crore due to price crashes and lack of government intervention.
✔️ Rising cultivation costs forcing farmers into debt dependency.
Political Vendetta Against Welfare Programs?
Govardhan Reddy accuses the TDP government of targeting welfare schemes introduced during the YSRCP era, undermining essential agricultural support systems. The privatization of government institutions and neglect of farming communities have further eroded trust among rural voters.
With farmer unrest brewing, the former minister warns of large-scale protests if the government fails to act on its promises. The contrast between YSRCP’s farmer-centric policies and TDP’s alleged neglect places Andhra Pradesh’s agricultural sector at a critical crossroads.
Way Forward: Need for Urgent Reforms
If the current crisis persists, Andhra Pradesh’s farming community faces long-term economic instability. To restore confidence, the government must:
✅ Reinstate essential welfare programs.
✅ Strengthen procurement policies to protect farmers from price crashes.
✅ Implement direct financial support measures to offset rising cultivation costs.
✅ Curb middlemen exploitation and ensure fair market prices for crops.
The future of Andhra Pradesh’s agriculture sector depends on the government’s willingness to prioritize farmers’ needs over political maneuvering. Will the TDP administration rise to the challenge, or will farmer protests escalate further? 🚜
