YS Jagan, YSRCP chief and former CM, shared his views on the condition of farmers in Andhra Pradesh during a press conference on Thursday. He said that when one looks at farmers’ plight, it feels like saying “save Andhra Pradesh”.
Jagan stated that the state can prosper only if farmers prosper. He said “Pandugala undalsina vyavasayam dandagala marindi” to describe the situation under Chandrababu’s rule. He added that the exaggeration around cyclone Montha is still remembered, claiming the then government behaved as if they controlled the cyclone.
Jagan said that during his term, free produce insurance was treated as a right. He accused Chandrababu of ignoring input subsidies. He stated that 17 natural calamities occurred in 19 months, and out of 84 lakh farmers in the state, only 19 lakh currently have crop insurance.
He said farmers’ lives have been disrupted under Chandrababu’s governance. He claimed that input subsidies worth Rs 1100 crore are pending. During his tenure, he said Rs 7800 crore was given as free crop insurance. He added that free crop insurance has now been removed and the situation of tenant farmers has worsened.
Jagan said Chandrababu has not clarified when he will give input subsidy or free crop insurance. While farmers are promised Rs 20,000 per year for investment, he said only Rs 10,000 has been given in two years. He added that farmers are not getting break even prices for produce, middlemen are exploiting them, and Chandrababu is simply watching.
