CPI(M) urges Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to rescue tribal coffee farmers hit by borer pest in Paderu

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao has written to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging immediate intervention to support tribal coffee farmers in the Paderu Agency hit by a berry borer pest outbreak.

In his letter dated September 9 (Tuesday), Mr. Srinivasa Rao noted that organic coffee is cultivated on about 2.58 lakh acres in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district, supporting nearly 2.48 lakh tribal farmers. The sudden infestation during the harvest season has triggered widespread concern, threatening growers’ livelihoods.

He called on the government to contain the spread at State expense by supplying pesticides and labour, and to extend relief to affected farmers. While officials are considering compensation of ₹20,000 per acre and ₹250 per kg of infected produce, Mr. Srinivasa Rao demanded ₹50,000 per acre and at least ₹200 per kg for damaged coffee.

The CPI(M) leader also sought the establishment of a Coffee Research Centre in Paderu to tackle crop diseases, expand plantations, and develop quality seed varieties. He further urged the government to strengthen marketing support through the Coffee Board and the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC), and to press the Centre for subsidies and insurance cover for tribal coffee growers.