Growing Discontent Among Farmers in Andhra Pradesh
As the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh completes two years in office, farmer organizations claim that dissatisfaction is steadily increasing across the state’s farming community. During the election campaign, coalition leaders promised better welfare schemes and more advanced agricultural policies than those implemented by the previous government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. However, farmer groups say many cultivators are now questioning whether those promises have been fulfilled.
According to farmers’ associations, issues related to agriculture now require repeated protests before the government responds. They argue that despite making several representations to the authorities, solutions often come only after sustained public pressure and are not fully implemented. Some farmer leaders also allege that the government appears more focused on publicity than addressing the concerns of cultivators.
Farmers Recall Better Support Under the Previous Government
Farmer organizations state that during the previous YSRCP government, farmers received fertilizers, seeds, investment assistance, crop compensation, minimum support prices, and quality free electricity in a more timely manner. They claim that farmers were not forced to organize frequent protests for basic agricultural issues, unlike the current situation.
Over the past two years, farmers from sectors including tobacco, mango, cotton, chilli, palm oil, and aquaculture have staged demonstrations over various issues. Farmer groups argue that these repeated protests indicate growing dissatisfaction within the agricultural community.
YSR Rythu Bharosa vs Annadata Sukhibhava
Farmer organizations say the comparison between the YSR Rythu Bharosa scheme and the coalition government’s Annadata Sukhibhava programme has become a major topic of discussion in villages.
They point out that although YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had promised ₹50,000 as investment support during the 2019 elections, the implemented scheme provided ₹13,500 annually to eligible farmers, resulting in a total assistance of ₹67,500 over five years.
In contrast, farmer groups allege that the number of beneficiaries under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme has significantly declined. They cite a government written reply stating that while 53.18 lakh farmers received assistance under Rythu Bharosa during 2023–24, the number has fallen to 46.86 lakh under the current scheme. They also criticize the coalition government for not implementing the scheme in its first year and for removing many beneficiaries based on revised eligibility criteria.
Concerns Over Crop Insurance and Interest-Free Loans
Farmer organizations also express concern over the discontinuation of the free crop insurance scheme introduced by the previous government. They argue that farmers affected by natural disasters are now facing severe financial hardship due to the absence of adequate insurance support.
Similarly, they claim that the zero-interest crop loan scheme, which rewarded farmers who repaid loans on time, has effectively come to a halt. According to them, interest subsidy payments have not yet been released, causing financial losses to lakhs of farmers.
Agricultural Systems Reportedly Weakened
According to farmer associations, several agricultural support systems established during the previous government have weakened over the past two years.
They point to:
- Weakening of Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs)
- Reduced effectiveness of the e-Crop registration system
- Delay in providing crop loss compensation during the same agricultural season
- Lack of adequate relief for farmers affected by recent cyclones
Farmer groups argue that these developments have negatively impacted the farming sector.
Farmer Groups Highlight Welfare Measures Under Jagan Government
Farmer organizations also recall several agricultural initiatives implemented during the previous YSRCP government, including:
- Financial assistance to tenant farmers, forest land cultivators, and farmers cultivating Endowment Department lands through YSR Rythu Bharosa
- Nine hours of free daytime electricity
- YSR Jalakala
- Price Stabilization Fund
- Natural Disaster Relief Fund
- CCRC cards for tenant farmers
- Establishment of Rythu Bharosa Kendras
- Farm machinery services
- Agricultural testing laboratories
- Livestock insurance
- Mobile veterinary health services
- Subsidies for the aquaculture sector
- Direct GLTP payments for paddy procurement
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) for additional crops
Farmer organizations say these programmes provided direct benefits to cultivators across the state.
Land Reforms Also Remembered
Farmer groups further note that the previous government introduced several land-related reforms, including:
- Full ownership rights over assigned lands
- Removal of Inam lands from the 22A prohibited property list
- Distribution of land to landless poor families
- Resolution of issues related to Lanka lands, Chukkala lands, DKT lands, and ROFR titles
They say these measures benefited lakhs of farmers and landholders.
Farmers Continue Comparing Both Governments
Farmer organizations conclude that many agricultural systems established during the previous government have either weakened or been discontinued under the coalition government. They also claim that even in continuing welfare schemes, the number of beneficiaries has been reduced.
As a result, they say farmers across Andhra Pradesh are increasingly comparing the coalition government’s two-year tenure with the five-year administration of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, making agricultural welfare a key topic of discussion in villages throughout the state.
