Across Andhra Pradesh, farmers are in tears. Their crops, paddy, banana, tobacco, cocoa, chili, and more, fetch no fair prices. Storms and pests have ruined harvests, but the real blow is the government’s neglect. The Coalition government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, offers no support, leaving farmers in debt and despair. While ministers stay away from fields, YSRCP leaders step in to help. From blocked highways to burning chili yards, farmers are fighting for survival, but their cries go unheard.
Farmers’ pain ignored
Farmers growing rice, banana, tobacco, cocoa, chili, cotton, jowar, pulses, maize, millets, ragi, groundnut, tomato, and sugarcane are suffering. No crop gets a minimum support price (MSP), pushing farmers into protests. YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the Coalition government of cheating farmers. “They’re sinking in debt, but the government doesn’t care,” he tweeted. Jagan pointed to fake promises, like NAFED buying chili at Rs. 11,781 per quintal, which never happened. He contrasted YSRCP’s Rs. 7,796 crore aid over five years with Coalition government’s Rs. 300 crore budget for 2025, with no spending proof. As 60% of Andhra’s people rely on farming, Jagan warned of a crisis, demanding MSP and market support through Markfed.
Paddy farmers left stranded
In April 2025, heavy rains flooded rice fields in Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari, East Godavari, Eluru, and Konaseema, days before harvest. Farmers lost crores. In West Godavari, producing 925,000 metric tons of paddy yearly, the Coalition government targets only 600,000 metric tons for purchase, leaving 325,000 metric tons unsold. Venkatesh, a West Godavari farmer representing many, said, “We work hard, but who buys our grain?” YSRCP’s Karumuru Nageswara Rao demanded 800,000 metric tons be bought, noting YSRCP’s 2019–2024 record of 34.025 million metric tons from 3.77 million farmers (Rs. 65,225 crore) against TDP’s 26.5 million metric tons (Rs. 40,236 crore). Coalition government’s 2024–2025 purchases—3.8 million metric tons in Kharif (Rs. 8,600 crore) and 571,108 metric tons in Rabi (Rs. 1,226.65 crore)—fall short.
Protests on Highways
In Eluru, officials stopped buying wet paddy, claiming targets were met, despite 397,000 metric tons produced and only 220,000 targeted. Farmers blocked roads, demanding all grains be bought. In East Godavari’s Peravali and Konaseema’s Keshavaram, they parked tractors on highways. Srikakulam farmers faced millers refusing MSP, forcing sales at low prices. In Jaggayyapeta’s Anumanchipalli, rice mills turned away paddy, sparking clashes. Telangana police blocked over 100 paddy lorries at border checkposts, leaving farmers stranded. “We’re on the roads, but the government sleeps,” said Ramesh, representing Eluru’s protesters.
Banana farmers abandoned
On April 29–30, storms destroyed banana plantations in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam. Bhanoji Naidu, Ranastalam’s Sarpanch, said, “33% of 1,200 acres were lost, costing lakhs.” Strict rules blocked compensation for farmers like Srinivas, a Vizag representative. In Lingala mandal, YSR Kadapa, a March 22 hailstorm hit 1,420 acres of 670 farmers. Jagan visited on March 24, promising help. YSRCP’s MP Avinash Reddy delivered Rs. 20,000 per hectare (Rs. 1.14 crore total) via demand drafts within a week, despite Coalition government’s inaction. Avinash criticized the unused Rs. 26-crore Pulivendula cold storage, built by YSRCP, and demanded MSP and insurance.
Tobacco farmers cheated
Tobacco farmers in Prakasam and Nellore face ruin. Last year’s Rs. 360/kg prices led to 88,000 hectares cultivated, beyond the Tobacco Board’s 68,500-hectare limit. Rains and pests cut yields by 20–30%, and traders offered Rs. 280/kg, down from Rs. 360. Damacharla Chinnaraja from Tangutur said, “Traders and officials cheat us, rejecting bales.” Over 100 bales are returned daily in Tangutur, with only 10% bought. The board’s over-cultivation allowance (162 million kg vs. 105.27 million kg estimated) crashed prices. YSRCP’s Y.V. Subbareddy, visiting Maddipadu on May 5, 2025, warned of suicides and planned protests within 15 days. He recalled YSRCP’s 2019–20 Markfed aid, unlike Coalition government’s neglect. Mekapati Vikram Reddy, inspecting Nellore’s auction center, demanded fair prices, citing YSRCP’s past support. Farmers fear a repeat of 2014–19, when six Prakasam farmers died by suicide.
Cocoa farmers’ desperate fight
In Guntur, cocoa farmers protested at the Horticulture Commissionerate on May 10, 2025, over price cuts. Companies like Mondelez promised Rs. 550/kg but paid Rs. 500/kg, despite international rates above Rs. 750/kg. Bollu Ramakrishna, leading the Andhra Pradesh Cocoa Farmers’ Association, said, “They cut prices daily, and we’re losing everything.” The Coalition government ignored Minister Achchennaidu’s price agreement. Farmers warned of suicides, demanding global-aligned prices. Horticulture official Harinath Reddy promised a company meeting, but trust is low.
Chili farmers’ burning anger
Guntur’s chili farmers protested at the chili yard, demanding MSP after Coalition government’s fake NAFED promise of Rs. 11,781 per quintal. No purchases happened, leaving farmers broke. Anil, representing protesters, said, “We burn in the sun, and police drag us away.” Police cracked down, but farmers vow to fight on.
YSRCP stands tall
While Coalition government ignores farmers, YSRCP steps up. YS Jagan’s Rs. 7,796 crore Price Stabilization Fund aided farmers, unlike Coalition government’s unspent Rs. 300 crore. In Lingala, YSRCP’s Rs. 1.14 crore aid showed Jagan’s commitment, even out of power. “Jagan kept his word,” said banana farmers. YSRCP leaders like Subbareddy, Vikram Reddy, and Nageswara Rao demand action, recalling six suicides under TDP’s 2014–19 rule.
State in crisis
Farmers are desperate. Venkatesh sold livestock to pay loans. Srinivas borrowed at 12% interest for bananas. Lakshmi’s son works in Hyderabad to save their coconut farm. Chinnaraja faces losing his land. Protests grow, from highways to chili yards, but Coalition government stays silent. Farmers try climate-resistant crops and share resources, yet need help. Jagan demands MSP and Markfed for all crops—rice, banana, tobacco, cocoa, chili, and more.
Act Now or lose everything
Andhra’s farmers feed the nation but starve themselves. Rice farmers need full procurement, including wet paddy. Banana farmers want MSP, insurance, and cold storage. Tobacco farmers demand Markfed and fair auctions. Cocoa and chili farmers seek fair prices. YSRCP’s aid is a start, but the Coalition government must act, buy crops, set MSP, and save farmers. As Ramesh said, echoing millions, “We feed the nation, but who saves us?” Without action, Andhra’s fields will become graves of broken dreams.
