Naidu’s policies pushing farmers into crisis

Nellore, Feb 15: Former Minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy addressed the media highlighting the dire situation of farmers under the TDP government. He stated that Chandrababu Naidu has been systematically targeting the welfare initiatives introduced by the previous government, particularly the Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), rendering them ineffective.

Farmers are struggling due to the unavailability of seeds and fertilizers, while procurement centers for paddy remain only on paper with no real implementation. Under the previous government, farmers received up to Rs. 1 lakh per acre in financial support, whereas now they are incurring losses of up to Rs. 40,000 per acre. The distress among chili farmers is also escalating, with losses amounting to Rs. 6,000 crore due to falling prices and lack of government intervention.

Kakani Govardhan Reddy criticized the government’s inaction against middlemen exploiting farmers, warning that continued negligence could lead to farmer suicides. He also pointed out that the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme has been abandoned, forcing farmers to rely on loans for cultivation. Rising input costs and declining incomes have pushed farmers into severe financial distress.

Chandrababu Naidu dismantled key agricultural support systems established by the previous administration out of political vendetta. Referring to Naidu’s tenure, he reminded that despite serving as Chief Minister for 14 years, he privatized 54 government institutions, weakening the state's economic foundations.

Govardhan Reddy warned that if the government fails to implement its promises to farmers, large-scale protests will be launched in collaboration with the farming community. Additionally, he condemned the destruction of Eucalyptus trees on AgriGold lands and criticized the government’s indifference towards this issue.