Govt. is committed to welfare of farmers, says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asserted that the NDA government is committed to welfare of the farmers, and due priority has been given to ensure Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to various crops.

Participating in the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Acharya N.G. Ranga, at Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) at Lam in Guntur district on Friday, Mr. Naidu said the agriculture sector achieved a growth rate of 16.60% in GSDP between 2014-2019, and it dropped to 10% in 2019-24.

The coalition government increased it to 15.45% in 2024-25. In spite of financial constraints, the government cleared dues to the farmers that were piled up during the YSRCP rule. In 2024-25, the government purchased 55.79 lakh MT of paddy for ₹12,857 crore.

Payments were made into the farmers’ accounts within 24 hours. Also, a sum of ₹7,000 was given to each farmer under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme.

Mr. Naidu said the government could significantly mitigate the damages caused by Cyclone Montha to the farm sector with concerted efforts by the government machinery and by using advanced technologies. In 2014-19, a sum of ₹20,000 had been paid per hectare to farmers towards cyclone damages. It was reduced to ₹17,000 by the YSRCP Government. Now it was increased to ₹25,000. The coalition government paid 95% of the crop insurance upon coming to power, he observed.

Mr. Naidu said the government saw to it that 95% of the reservoirs were full during the recent spate of rains through efficient water management, and it could overcome drought in Rayalaseema.

He promised to extend all possible support to the tenant farmers and called for promotion of organic farming. He recalled that he had a special bond with Acharya N.G. Ranga and was inspired by his writings.

He pointed out that the Hyderabad Agricultural University was named after him (Acharya N.G. Ranga) and the Agricultural University in the new State of Andhra Pradesh was also given his name in recognition of his stellar contributions to the agriculture sector.

“Acharya N.G. Ranga led the Andhra Peasant Movement from the front and was a great Parliamentarian. He was a multifaceted personality, whom people, especially farmers, will never forget,” Mr. Naidu stated.

Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu, MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, officials from ANGRAU and others were present.