YSRCP alleges fertiliser shortage hurting Andhra farmers
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has accused the NDA government in Andhra Pradesh of failing to ensure adequate fertiliser supplies during the current kharif season. M.V.S. Nagi Reddy, the party's general secretary for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, made the allegations at a press conference at the party headquarters in Tadepalli on Friday.
Mr. Reddy claimed that while liquor was available even in remote areas, farmers were struggling to obtain fertilisers. He urged the government to withdraw the app-based distribution system, arguing that poor Internet connectivity and digital payment issues in rural and Agency areas were preventing farmers from accessing subsidised fertilisers.
The YSRCP leader also pointed to discrepancies in official rainfall data. He said the Agriculture Department reported a 25.8% rainfall deficit as of June 24, while the AP Water Resources Information and Management System (APWRIMS) website showed a deficit of only 1.4 mm on June 26.
Mr. Reddy noted that the area under paddy and maize cultivation had increased from 1.46 lakh hectares to 2.95 lakh hectares compared to the same period last year, warranting higher availability of chemical fertilisers. He argued that chemical fertilisers are essential for food security and cautioned against excessive reliance on organic farming, citing Sri Lanka's food crisis as an example.
Questioning the government's claim that organic farming is being practised on 18 lakh acres, he asked why demand for chemical fertilisers had not declined and alleged that organic farmers receive little institutional support.
The YSRCP leader further accused the government of failing to ensure remunerative prices for tobacco and mango growers, alleging that juice processing units had formed a cartel to suppress mango prices. He demanded that the Centre and State jointly provide ₹360 crore to support mango farmers and called for immediate removal of app-based restrictions, adequate fertiliser supplies, and safeguarding farmers’ interests.
This report is based on statements made by a political party. The state government has not yet responded to these allegations.
