Amaravati: Farmers across Andhra Pradesh are facing severe losses due to the state government’s failure to ensure fair procurement and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key crops like Kandi (Red Gram), Senaga (Bengal Gram), Jonna (Sorghum), and Minumulu (Black Gram). Despite repeated pleas from farmers, the administration has failed to take concrete steps, leaving them at the mercy of market fluctuations and middlemen.
No Fair Procurement, Only Fake Reports
Farmers allege that officials are sending misleading reports to the government, painting a rosy picture of procurement despite ground reality suggesting otherwise. Many claim that authorities have not conducted proper field visits, nor have they addressed concerns regarding price crashes and delayed payments.
A farmer from Prakasam district expressed his frustration:
“We are forced to sell our produce at throwaway prices because the government isn’t stepping in to procure crops at MSP. Officials are sitting in their offices, making false claims about procurement, but in reality, we are suffering huge losses.”
Neglect from Government Officials
The agriculture minister, who is responsible for addressing farmers’ grievances, has reportedly not visited affected areas to assess the situation. His absence has fueled anger among the farming community, who feel abandoned in their time of crisis.
“If the minister himself has no time to visit us, who will hear our cries? We are drowning in debt, and the government is doing nothing to help,” said another farmer from Anantapur.
Chandrababu Naidu’s History of Betrayal
The issue has also reignited political debates, with critics accusing former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu (CBN) of repeatedly deceiving farmers. Many recall his controversial remarks, where he allegedly dismissed agriculture as a “useless” profession and failed to implement farmer-friendly policies.
“What can you expect from someone who once called farming useless? He has a history of neglecting farmers, and now, even his ministers are following the same path,” said a political analyst.
Farmers Demand Immediate Action
With mounting financial distress, farmers are demanding immediate intervention from the state government, including:
- Strict implementation of MSP to prevent distress sales.
- Transparent and timely procurement of all crops.
- Regular ground visits by officials to assess and resolve farmer issues.
As protests grow across various districts, the government faces increasing pressure to act swiftly before the situation spirals out of control. If the current apathy continues, Andhra Pradesh could see an agrarian crisis that will have long-term economic and political consequences.
