Tenant farmers in distress in Andhra Pradesh, says former minister Karumuri
Karumuri Nageswara Rao
. Speaking to media on Wednesday, Karumuri said that over 32 lakhs of tenant farmers, comprising 70-80% of the agricultural workforce, are grappling with severe neglect, as the government has scrapped
tenant farmer cards
, blocking access to critical support like crop loans, insurance, and compensation.
This policy reversal has forced farmers to borrow at exorbitant interest rates of 3-5% from private lenders, pushing them into a debt trap. "Naidu's failure to support tenant farmers is deplorable. While he focuses on Amaravati, farmers are left to suffer," he said.He said that tenant farmers received unprecedented support. Between 2019 and 2024, 25.94 lakh farmers were issued tenant cards during previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, enabling access to Rs.
8,345 crore in crop loans for 6.78 lakh farmers, Rs. 751.42 crore in investment assistance for 5.57 lakh SC, ST, BC, and minority farmers, Rs. 731.08 crore in crop insurance for 3.55 lakh farmers, and Rs. 253.56 crore in crop loss compensation for 2.42 lakh farmers. The YSRCP also ensured the procurement of damaged crops, including every grain of rain-soaked paddy, and supported tobacco farmers with Rs. 500 crore through Markfed to stabilize prices. In contrast, the current govt has failed to issue tenant cards, stalled the Crop Cultivator Rights Cards (CCRC) process, and ignored the Annadata Sukheebhava scheme, leaving farmers without investment support.The plight of tobacco farmers is particularly dire. Prices have crashed from Rs. 18,000 per quintal under YSRCP to below Rs. 10,000, with private companies exploiting farmers by rejecting produce on quality grounds after promising procurement. He said that in one district, 80,000 acres of Burley tobacco was cultivated with an investments of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre, yet farmers face losses due to poor yields and low prices. Karumuri highlighted the government's inaction, noting, "Tobacco farmers are on the brink of suicide, yet Naidu remains silent." He urged the govt to procure tobacco through the Tobacco Board and called on deputy mhief minister Pawan Kalyan to negotiate with the central govt for relief. He said that the the govt is misusing public funds on special flights for leaders like Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Nara Lokesh, while neglecting farmers' welfare. Karumuri reaffirmed YSRCP's commitment to fight for tenant and tobacco farmers, stating, "We will stand with farmers and agitate until justice is delivered." With the Kharif season approaching, Rao demanded immediate issuance of tenant cards, restoration of support schemes, and procurement of tobacco at fair prices.
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