Rs 43,402 cr Budget for agriculture

The Andhra Pradesh government has presented its Agriculture Budget for the financial year 2024-25, amounting to Rs 43,402 crore. Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu introduced the Budget in the Legislative Assembly, while in the Legislative Council, the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA & UD), P. Narayana, also addressed the House on the agricultural proposals.
In his Budget speech, Minister Atchannaidu highlighted agriculture as the backbone of the State’s economy and underscored the government’s commitment to supporting farmers. Key initiatives outlined in the budget include issuing identity cards to tenant farmers, supplying modern farming tools and seeds at subsidised rates, offering interest-free loans, and implementing advanced soil testing using remote sensing technology. The state government also prioritised setting up soil laboratories to provide micronutrient support for crops.
Atchannaidu emphasised that these initiatives aim to support the 62% of Andhra Pradesh’s population that depends on agriculture. He also focused on the importance of rural development and boosting agricultural growth through substantial investment and modernised infrastructure. “Around 62% of the state’s population depends on agriculture, so my government will continue the Polam Pilustondi programme to create awareness among farmers during both the Kharif and Rabi seasons,” he said.
Key agricultural initiatives
The Minister further discussed the government’s plans to introduce a new Tenant Protection Act in the Assembly, noting that the existing laws had failed to provide adequate safeguards for tenant farmers. “We have noticed that the current legal framework does not adequately protect tenant farmers, so we are introducing new legislation to ensure their security,” Atchannaidu said.
Criticising the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government for neglecting the agricultural sector, Atchannaidu promised to revive several farmer welfare schemes that had been suspended during the previous regime. “We are already conducting large-scale soil testing across the state to help farmers optimise the use of pesticides and fertilisers,” he added.
The government is also planning to revolutionise agricultural practices with the use of drones for precision farming. Remote sensing agencies will be employed to provide farmers with accurate soil testing reports. The government has allocated ?38.88 crore exclusively for soil testing and will spend ?240 crore on seed distribution and ?40 crore on subsidising fertilisers.
Natural farming and support for farmers
Minister Atchannaidu emphasised the government’s focus on encouraging natural farming practices to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. “The reduction in chemical inputs will help farmers significantly cut their costs,” he explained. The government has committed Rs 422 crore for promoting natural farming, which aims to produce healthier crops while minimising environmental impact.
Additionally, Atchannaidu spoke about providing training to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to actively engage in natural farming practices, thus enhancing community participation in sustainable agriculture.
Transforming horticulture
The State government also plans to transform 1.73 lakh acres of traditional horticulture crops into commercial horticulture, under a new crop diversity system. This will encourage multistory cropping and intercropping, which is expected to increase horticulture production across the state. A provision of    Rs 3,469.47 crore has been allocated for horticulture development in the state.
The government is also working to strengthen the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) through computerisation. This initiative will enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of PACS, helping them provide better financial services to their members. The PACS Digitalisation project, with a budget of Rs 81.54 crore, will run from 2022-23 to 2026-27.