Worshiped In Farmers' Hearts

• Farmers suffered due to lack of assistance and support
• YSR observed the sad situation of farmers during Praja Prasthanam
• Aid to farmers soon after coming to power
• Revolutionary decisions like free electricity provision and loan waiver
• Agriculture celebrated under YSR’s rule

Villages are the backbone of the country. Particularly, for the state of AP, being an agriculture-dependent state to be flourished, the financial system in the villages should be strong and the farmers should be happy. The basic needs of a common man, something to eat, a place to stay, clothes to wear, healthcare, education for children and financial security in the old age are very important.

Chandrababu’s incompetence

Until YSR took up power in 2004, he did not care about farmers. Chandrababu acted as if agriculture was a waste of time. Already hit by drought, farmers suffered from unavailability of irrigation water. The Government, instead of caring for the situation, neglected it. Farmers, as a result, resorted to suicide. Even that could not move the Government veterans. 

Observation during Praja Prasthanam

At that time, Dr.YS Rajasekhar Reddy, being the leader of opposition of that time, toured in the whole state. Praja Prasthanam programme began in Chevella of Rangareddy district and went on till Icchapuram of Srikakulam district in spite of hot sun. As he went marching through the villages, people revealed to him their problems. They complained about the Government’s negligence towards their issues. YSR thought about how to let them out of the crisis situation. He announced that he would provide electricity for free as soon as he came to power, so that they could draw irrigation water with motor pipes. Chandrababu mocked this too.

Agriculture given utmost importance

After he came to power, YSR put his attention on the field of agriculture. The first signature he did was on the file that had orders allowing provision of free electricity as promised. This was immediately implemented throughout the state. In reality, major part of the farming in the state was dependent on groundwater but not water from water projects. Cultivation in one acre provided livelihood for almost 50-60 people and income of Rs.4000-6000 for the Government. If bores did not work or the farmers could not spend on electricity, the Government did not even provide assistance to them. But after YSR came to power, he provided power for free, as YSR envisioned that this would improve the production of grains, thereby improving the financial strength of rural areas. YSR also waived the Rs.1269 crore electrical bills piled up until then. He promised to provide 7 hours of free electricity until the day he died. Overall, 30 lakh pumps had free provision of power. Totally, 1500 crore units of power was supplied and lakhs of acres of farmland was kept flourished.

Waiver of agricultural loans

YSR decided to come to the aid of the farmers in distress by cancelling agricultural loans. 64 lakh farmers were benefited from this. Almost Rs.11,000 crore was waived. Also, Rs.5000 gift money was announced for those farmers who paid their loans early. With this, 36 lakh farmers were benefited. Rs.1800 crore were given away among the farmers.

Financial assurance

Finding money for investment was a huge problem for farmers of rural areas. They used to look for sources at the beginning of every season. YSR decided to ease the regulations related to sanction crop loans. Loans were also sanctioned for 0.25% rate of interest. Totally, Rs.22,650 crore of loans were given at this rate. Encouragement was also given to those who paid their loans early. 

Encouragement to related areas

The areas related to agricultural sectors were also encouraged by YSR. Pasukranthi scheme was introduced for the purchase of cattle. Loans were sanctioned at 0.25% interest. Subsidy was announced to be Rs.30,000. Hence, cattle were bought extensively. Insurance for sheep was introduced for the first time in the country. 

With the overall development of agriculture and rural areas, YSR did equal justice all areas and all social classes. With no new tax, he managed the agricultural sector so efficiently that intellectuals, even today, express their opinion that the state of AP would be in a much better situation if YSR was alive.