Minister launches Eruvaka Pournami in Guntur, assures government commitment to farmers’ welfare
The NDA government is committed to restoring the agricultural sector and ensuring farmers’ welfare through scientific farming, technology adoption, and transparent delivery of farm inputs
The NDA government is committed to restoring the agricultural sector and ensuring farmers’ welfare through scientific farming, technology adoption, and transparent delivery of farm inputs, said Minister of Agriculture Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Monday (June 29, 2026). The Minister launched the ‘Eruvaka Pournami’ celebrations at the Agriculture University in Lam, Guntur, by ceremonially ploughing a field with bullocks. He stated that the government’s objective was to make farming profitable and provide farmers with stable incomes. Addressing the gathering, the Minister stated that nearly 66 per cent of the State's population depended on agriculture and allied sectors, making it government's top priority.
He alleged that agriculture and irrigation had been neglected under the previous YSRCP government, but claimed that the coalition government had restored the seed supply system by clearing pending dues to seed companies. He said there was no shortage of fertilisers in the State and that a dedicated mobile application had enabled the distribution of over 1.5 million fertiliser bags within 20 days, benefiting more than three lakh tenant farmers. Atchannaidu urged farmers to adopt market-oriented cropping patterns instead of depending on a single crop, warning that price fluctuations could result in losses.
He advised farmers to diversify into horticulture and dairy while following scientific recommendations, balanced fertiliser use and soil testing. Referring to export challenges, he cautioned against excessive chemical usage in chilli cultivation. The Minister said the government had taken steps to protect tobacco growers by ensuring procurement above ₹200 per kg and fixed the FCV tobacco production target for 2026-27 at around 81 million kg based on market demand. He also reiterated continued support for Totapuri mango growers and welfare assistance to farmers.
The Minister also criticised the YSRCP leadership over its stand on Amaravati and accused the previous government of neglecting farmers and the capital region.
The BriefWire