Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham and the Tenant Farmers’ Association met Special Chief Secretary (Agriculture, Marketing, and Cooperation) B. Rajasekhar at the Secretariat and submitted a memorandum seeking urgent redressal of key issues affecting farmers.
The delegation, led by V. Krishnayya, K. Prabhakara Reddy and M. Haribabu, urged the government to open maize procurement centres in Nandyal, Bapatla, Palnadu and Guntur districts, where harvesting has begun. They said farmers are being forced to sell maize at ₹1,600 to ₹1,800 a quintal against the MSP of ₹2,400.
The leaders also raised the plight of cotton farmers, noting that despite the MSP of ₹8,110 a quintal, traders in Adoni and Emmiganur markets are paying only ₹4,000 to ₹6,500. They demanded immediate intervention by the Cotton Corporation of India to begin procurement without imposing harsh moisture norms.
They pointed out that Bengal gram farmers are burdened by high storage costs and demanded procurement of pulses at ₹10,000 a quintal. The situation of mango growers in Chittoor, who have not received the full ₹8 a kg announced by the government, and onion and tomato farmers suffering steep price falls, were also highlighted.
Expressing concern over the discontinuation of free crop insurance, they appealed for its reinstatement, stating that many farmers are unable to pay premiums and remain unprotected against natural calamities. The delegation urged the government to take immediate action to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods.
Published – October 25, 2025 07:52 pm IST
