Andhra Pradesh Government Prioritizes Farmer Support and Irrigation Improvements

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, during a review meeting with agriculture and water resources officials, emphasized the importance of ensuring sufficient irrigation water and farm inputs for the Kharif season. He instructed officials to provide seeds and fertilizers at subsidized rates to small and marginal farmers to reduce cultivation costs.

Naidu criticized the previous YSRC regime for its ineffective policies that hindered agricultural growth and increased farmers' financial burdens, making Andhra Pradesh farmers the most indebted in the country. He highlighted the need to address these issues urgently.

The Chief Minister recalled the positive initiatives of the earlier TDP government, such as regular soil tests and promoting drip irrigation in drought-prone Rayalaseema, which were discontinued by the YSRC. He expressed concern over the neglect of irrigation projects, noting that maintenance had stopped during the previous administration.

Naidu stressed the need to reintroduce effective farming practices, including zero-budget natural farming, which the YSRC had abandoned. He urged officials to consider using drones for pesticide spraying and to undertake desiltation of canals and drains. He also called for the reintroduction of the old crop insurance scheme and better utilization of Godavari water for the Krishna delta.

Officials informed Naidu that irrigation water was released to the Godavari delta on June 1, and water from schemes like Pattiseema, Pushkar, Thatipudi, and Purushothapatnam was released recently. Due to the unavailability of water in the Pulichintala project, Godavari water will be supplied to the Krishna delta via Pattiseema.

With above-normal rainfall in most areas, crop cultivation has started in 304,604 out of 414,490 acres for the Kharif season. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu and other officials.