‘AP stands by farmers’

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy released Rs. 1,294.58 crore towards input subsidy benefiting 11,61,000 farmers, who lost their crops due to drought in 2023 and Michaung cyclone.
Releasing the amount with the click of a button from the Camp Office here on Wednesday, he said that Andhra Pradesh is the only State which has been paying input subsidy to farmers for crop loss in the same season. Out of the Rs 1,294.58 crore, Rs 847 crore is being paid as input subsidy to 6, 96,000 farmers hit by drought in 103 mandals of seven districts while the rest is paid to 4,61,000 farmers who suffered crop loss due to the Michaung cyclone.
So far, the government has disbursed Rs 3,262 crore under input subsidy to 34.41 lakh farmers, who lost their crops due to natural calamities in the last 57 months, he said, For the first time, the government has been handholding farmers at every step through RBKs and village secretariats and crop loss compensation is made through e-cropping assessments and displaying the lists transparently.
This helps farmers and the official machinery to make corrections so that farmers would not suffer any financial loss and the government has been taking several steps to avoid financial loss to farmers. Citing the Michaung cyclone, the Chief Minister said that government purchased 3,25,000 tonnes of discoloured paddy and added that financial assistance under Rythu Bharosa is benefiting 87 per cent of the farmers who own less than one hectare as it helps them meet 80 per cent of the cultivation expenses.
The Chief Minister said while the previous TDP Government paid only Rs. 3,411crore to 30,85,000 farmers as crop insurance compensation during its five-year term, Rs 7,802 crore has been paid to 54,55,000 farmers in the last 57 months towards insurance.
Agriculture Minister K. Govardhana Reddy, Chief Secretary Dr KS Jawahar Reddy and other senior officials were among those present.