Crops such as paddy, chilli, tobacco, mango, onion, and tomato have suffered extensive damage, but the government has failed to provide any compensation or relief, says YSR Congress Party general secretary M.V.S. Nagi Reddy
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YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) general secretary M.V.S. Nagi Reddy on Saturday criticised the coalition government for “pushing the farming community into a deep crisis” through its negligence and failed agricultural policies.
Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli, Mr. Nagi Reddy said the State was witnessing one of the sharpest declines in cultivation in decades. During the five-year tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, an average of 32.94 lakh hectares was cultivated every kharif season. Under the present coalition regime, this has dropped to 28.19 lakh hectares, he said, adding that the decline had caused a loss of over ₹3,000 crore in agricultural employment and production value.
He alleged that the government had withdrawn the free crop insurance scheme, leaving farmers helpless in the face of droughts and floods. Crops such as paddy, chilli, tobacco, mango, onion and tomato had suffered extensive damage, but the government failed to provide any compensation or relief, he claimed.
“When Mr. Jagan assumed office, the State treasury had only ₹100 crore, yet the government stood firmly by farmers, who never faced such hardships. Today, despite ₹7,000 crore being available, the Chandrababu Naidu government has not released even the second instalment of input support,” Mr. Nagi Reddy said.
He also faulted the government for not ensuring minimum support prices (MSP) and delaying payments to farmers. The removal of welfare measures such as crop insurance and input aid had forced farmers to dump their produce — mangoes, onions and tomatoes — on roads, he said, calling it “an unprecedented and tragic situation.”
Revealing that 29 farmers had ended their lives since the coalition came to power, he alleged that none of their families had received compensation. Mr. Nagi Reddy demanded the immediate restoration of crop insurance, release of pending financial assistance, and revival of procurement operations through MARKFED.
“The rural economy is collapsing. Farmers and agricultural labourers have lost their livelihoods. This is not development, it is destruction,” he said, urging the government to act swiftly to protect farmers before the situation worsens.
Published – October 12, 2025 06:11 pm IST
