State General Secretary M.V.S. Nagi Reddy of the YSRCP demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government declare a drought emergency and launch a special relief package for farmers.
Key Developments
- Andhra Pradesh recorded a deficit rainfall of 54.73%, affecting 653 of 685 mandals.
- Only 69% of the normal cultivated area was under crops, far below the national average of 98.3% and Telangana’s 91.84%.
- Major crops such as groundnut, cotton, maize, jowar, millets and pulses suffered losses.
- Government’s advice to shift from paddy in the Krishna delta was rejected as impractical; paddy occupies 3.28 lakh acres of the 3.34 lakh acres cultivated there.
- Farmers face a double burden: rising cultivation costs and falling market prices for cotton, onion, maize, banana and tobacco.
- Demand for immediate per‑acre compensation, direct bank transfers, clearance of pending input subsidy, crop insurance, interest‑free loans and Annadata Sukhibhava payments.
- Call for restoration of free crop insurance and financial aid to families of farmer suicides.
Important Facts
The rainfall shortfall was widespread across mandals in Annamayya, Prakasam, Chittoor, Markapuram and Visakhapatnam districts. The state’s cultivated area fell sharply, indicating a severe agrarian distress.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the link between climate variability (deficit rainfall) and agricultural output is essential for GS3 (Economy) and GS4 (Environment). The role of state‑level political parties like the YSRCP in policy advocacy illustrates GS2 (Polity). Schemes such as Annadata Sukhibhava and crop insurance are part of the welfare architecture examined in GS3.
Way Forward
For effective relief, the government should:
- Officially declare a drought emergency to unlock central assistance.
- Conduct rapid crop loss assessment and disburse per‑acre compensation via direct bank transfers.
- Ensure timely release of input subsidies, interest‑free loans, and revive free crop insurance.
- Prioritise irrigation efficiency in the Krishna delta to protect standing paddy crops.
- Provide targeted support to families of farmer suicides, reflecting the social dimension of agrarian distress.
These steps can mitigate immediate hardship and build resilience against future climate shocks.