YSRCP alleges fertilizer shortage in Andhra Pradesh
YSRCP general secretary (Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare) M.V.S. Nagi Reddy on Friday said that Andhra Pradesh was facing severe fertilizer shortage and accused the NDA
YSRCP general secretary (Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare) M.V.S. Nagi Reddy on Friday said that Andhra Pradesh was facing severe fertilizer shortage and accused the NDA government of neglecting farmers during the crucial kharif season. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters at Tadepalli, Mr. Nagi Reddy alleged that liquor was available even in remote areas, but farmers were struggling to procure fertilizers. Urging the government to withdraw the app-based distribution system, he said poor Internet connectivity and digital payment issues in the rural and Agency areas were preventing farmers from accessing subsidised fertilizers.
Flagging discrepancies in the official rainfall data, Mr. Nagi Reddy 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 1.4 mm deficit on June 26. Nagi Reddy said the area under paddy and maize cultivation had increased from 1.46 lakh hectares to 2.95 lakh hectares compared to the corresponding period the previous year, warranting higher availability of chemical fertilizers.
He argued that chemical fertilizers were essential for food security and warned against excessive reliance on organic farming, citing Sri Lanka's food crisis as an example. Questioning the government’s claim that organic farming was being practised in 18 lakh acres, he asked why demand for chemical fertilizers had not declined. He alleged that organic farmers were receiving little institutional support. The YSRCP leader further accused the government of failing to ensure remunerative prices for tobacco and mango growers, and alleged that juice processing units 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 steps to remove app-based restrictions, ensure adequate fertilizer supplies and safeguard farmers’ interests.
The BriefWire