Declare drought emergency in Andhra Pradesh, demands YSRCP leader

YSRCP leader M.V.S. Nagi Reddy called for the Andhra Pradesh government to declare a drought emergency and provide special relief measures for farmers grappling with severe rainfall deficits and crop losses. The state experienced a 54.73% rainfall deficit, impacting 653 of its 685 mandals, with certain districts like Annamayya, Prakasam, Chittoor, Markapuram, and Visakhapatnam facing particularly dire conditions.

Cultivation across the state has declined sharply, with only 69% of the normal area planted compared to the national average of 98.3% and Telangana's 91.84%. Major crops such as groundnut, cotton, maize, jowar, millets, and pulses have been adversely affected. Nagi Reddy criticized the government's advice for farmers to switch to alternative crops, stating that such recommendations would be ineffective without adequate rainfall, irrigation, and subsidized seeds.

He questioned the suggestion to reduce paddy cultivation in the Krishna delta, noting that paddy accounts for 3.28 lakh acres of the total 3.34 lakh acres under cultivation in the district. Farmers are facing a double burden, with increasing cultivation costs and declining market prices for several crops. Nagi Reddy demanded immediate assessment of crop losses, per-acre compensation, and the prompt transfer of relief funds into farmers' bank accounts.

He also sought immediate clearance of pending input subsidies, crop insurance, interest-free loan benefits, and Annadata Sukhibhava payments, as well as the restoration of free crop insurance and financial assistance to the families of farmers who have taken their own lives. The government should ensure effective utilization of available irrigation water to protect standing crops.