Minister Atchannaidu Launches Kharif Season with Farmer-Centric Vision

Reaffirming the Andhra Pradesh government's commitment to strengthening the farm sector, Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu on Monday said the welfare of farmers remains the cornerstone of the state's economic growth. He asserted that the NDA coalition government , under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu , is working to restore agriculture to its former strength and ensure sustainable prosperity for farmers across Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at the prestigious Eruvaka Pournami celebrations held at Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) in Lam, Guntur, Atchannaidu formally launched the Kharif cultivation season by ploughing a field with a traditional bullock-drawn plough. He noted that nearly 66 percent of the state's population depends on agriculture and allied activities, making the sector a key focus area for the government.

Highlighting measures taken over the past year, Atchannaidu said the government revived the seed supply system by clearing pending dues owed to seed companies. He also assured farmers that there is no shortage of fertilisers anywhere in the state. To improve transparency and curb irregularities, the government introduced a special fertiliser distribution app , through which more than 15 lakh fertiliser bags were supplied within just 20 days. Over three lakh tenant farmers have directly benefited from the digital platform, he added.

The minister urged farmers to adopt scientific and sustainable farming practices , including balanced fertiliser application based on soil testing. He also encouraged growers to diversify into horticulture and alternative crops in response to changing market trends and climate conditions. Citing the return of Guntur chilli consignments from China due to excessive chemical residues, he stressed the need for quality-conscious cultivation.

Atchannaidu said the government has taken steps to ensure that the procurement price of Virginia tobacco does not fall below ₹200 per kilogram , while annual production has been fixed at 81 million kilograms . He recalled that HD Burley tobacco farmers received ₹273 crore in support last year, while Totapuri mango growers were provided additional assistance. Despite financial constraints, the government released the first installment of investment support under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme directly into farmers’ bank accounts.

Launching a sharp attack on the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, Atchannaidu alleged that the agricultural sector had been weakened during its tenure and accused it of neglecting the concerns of Amaravati farmers . He said those who contributed land for the capital city deserved justice and recognition for their sacrifice.

Among those present at the event were Guntur District Collector S. Sai Kanth Varma , MLAs Dhulipalla Narendra and Burla Ramanjaneyulu , and ANGRAU Vice-Chancellor Satyanarayana .