A.P. Minister: ₹188 crore for tobacco farmers, crop insurance deadline July 31

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Wednesday assured farmers that the coalition government is fully committed to protecting their interests. He also urged political leaders to refrain from making statements that could have a negative impact on agricultural markets.

The Minister said the State and Central governments have jointly decided to provide financial assistance of ₹20 per kilogram to Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco farmers. He announced that ₹188 crore has been allocated to support the procurement of 94 million kg of tobacco. This assistance is aimed at easing the financial burden on farmers reeling from falling prices.

Mr. Atchannaidu attributed the current price slump to global market conditions, especially the inflow of cheaper tobacco imports from countries like Brazil and Tanzania. This has increased supply and put downward pressure on domestic prices. He said the government is coordinating with the Centre, the Tobacco Board, and traders to find ways to safeguard the interests of local farmers. The Tobacco Board regulates the auction of FCV tobacco, which is a major cash crop in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in coastal districts like Prakasam and Guntur.

In a separate appeal, the Minister asked farmers to complete the registration for kharif crop insurance before the July 31 deadline. He described crop insurance as the best available protection against financial losses caused by floods, drought, cyclones, and other natural calamities. He cautioned farmers not to wait until the last day, as delays could lead to technical problems or missed opportunities.

The insurance coverage is provided under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), a scheme launched by the Centre to offer affordable crop insurance to farmers. The scheme is implemented in partnership with state governments and covers a wide range of crops. Farmers can pay a nominal premium, and the rest is subsidized by the government.

Mr. Atchannaidu said registration can be completed through multiple channels, including the PMFBY Crop Insurance Farmer App, Common Service Centres (CSCs), banks, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), and offices of the Agriculture Department. He directed officials to create widespread awareness about the scheme and ensure that every eligible farmer is enrolled.

The Minister reiterated that farmer welfare is the top priority of the coalition government. He said the government is continuously reviewing the situation in the agricultural sector and taking appropriate action to address challenges. He also expressed confidence that the measures announced will provide relief to tobacco farmers and help stabilize the market.

Farmers and their associations have welcomed the financial assistance, but many are waiting to see how quickly the support reaches the ground. The government has said that disbursement will begin soon, and the Tobacco Board is expected to streamline the procurement process.

With the monsoon progressing, the timely registration for crop insurance has become even more critical. The state has experienced uneven rainfall in some areas, and insurance can mitigate the impact of weather-related losses. Agriculture officials have been told to go to villages and help farmers complete the enrollment process.

The government also advised farmers to keep all relevant documents, such as land records and bank account details, ready while applying for insurance. This will help avoid delays in claim settlement. The minister’s statements come at a time when the agriculture sector is facing multiple challenges, including erratic weather, fluctuating market prices, and rising input costs.

Overall, the announcements made by the Minister reflect the government’s efforts to address the immediate concerns of farmers while also pushing for long-term risk management. The success of these measures, however, will depend on their proper implementation and timely delivery of benefits.