Has the Coalition Government Abandoned Farmers?

Amaravati, Sep 2 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has charged that the TDP-led coalition government has completely neglected farmers since taking office.

During a discussion with onion and citrus farmers at Duggannagaripalli village, located in Vemula mandal of Pulivendula constituency in YSR Kadapa district, Y.S. Jagan listened to their concerns regarding the lack of minimum support prices.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader emphasized that farmers expressed their discontent, citing that while they received assistance during the YSRCP regime, the current government has turned a blind eye, leading them into debt and hardship.

Promising to advocate for the farmers, Y.S. Jagan insisted on the urgent need for government action to assist them. He noted that onion, banana, black gram, and Sunn hemp farmers across the state are suffering from plummeting prices. To compound their challenges, there is a critical shortage of urea, forcing farmers into the black market at exorbitant prices, with profits lining the pockets of those in power.

He questioned why urea allocations were not being managed through Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) and Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS), which had ensured accountability during the YSRCP administration.

The former CM heavily criticized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, claiming that his family's company is reaping profits at the farmers' expense.

Illustrating the disparity, Y.S. Jagan highlighted that Heritage retail stores sell onions at Rs 35 per kilo, while farmers are compelled to sell at merely Rs 6. “Isn’t it the government's duty to buy onions at a fair price? Even if farmers received Rs 25 per kilo, Chandrababu's companies could still thrive at Rs 35. Yet, instead of supporting farmers, the government prioritizes Heritage’s profit margins,” he asserted.

Reflecting on previous support, the YSRCP leader stated that Sunn hemp used to command between Rs 30,000 and Rs 1 lakh per quintal, and onions fetched between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 under the YSRCP government. Currently, farmers struggle to sell good-grade onions for Rs 600 to Rs 800, with poor grades fetching as low as Rs 300. He called for a procurement price of no less than Rs 2,500 per quintal and marketing through Rythu Bazaars. Banana farmers, who once earned Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre, can barely sell for Rs 3,000 today.

On fertilizers, Y.S. Jagan pointed out that the YSRCP ensured urea was available for Rs 265 per bag through RBKs, effectively curbing black market activities. Now, farmers are forced to pay an additional Rs 200 per bag or purchase pesticides as a condition of sale. He criticized the coalition for sidelining RBKs and allowing for black market commissions to thrive.

He also chastised Chandrababu for deceiving farmers regarding the ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ scheme, which promised Rs 40,000 over two years, yet only Rs 5,000 has been disbursed so far. The free crop insurance that was once available under the YSRCP has also been eliminated.

Y.S. Jagan concluded that farmers are left without adequate prices, ensnared by inflated fertilizer costs, and forsaken by a government that prioritizes commissions and Heritage profits over their welfare.