Agriculture in deep crisis in Andhra Pradesh, says YSRCP

YSRCP general secretary (Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare) M.V.S Nagi Reddy has alleged that agriculture in Andhra Pradesh is in deep crisis and that declining rural incomes are dragging down the State’s finances, contrary to the optimistic projections in the Budget.

Addressing the media at the party central office, Mr. Nagi Reddy said revenue receipts projected at ₹2,17,976.53 crore for 2025–26 were revised down to ₹1,96,903.53 crore, a shortfall of over ₹21,000 crore. Despite this, the government now projected ₹2,34,140.14 crore, an 18.91% increase, which he termed unrealistic.

Similarly, State tax revenues were cut from ₹1,28,126 crore to ₹1,11,865 crore, but fresh estimates peg them at ₹1,37,320 crore.

Mr. Nagi Reddy argued that falling farm incomes due to weak MSP realisation, lower yields and marketing failures reduced rural purchasing power. He noted that despite increased paddy acreage during Kharif 2025–26, production saw only a marginal rise, indicating declining productivity. Cotton farmers reportedly suffered losses due to Cyclone Montha, while groundnut and maize farmers faced sharp price drops below MSP.

He also flagged limited procurement by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) for chickpea, warning of further distress.

Andhra Pradesh, he said, slipped to the 10th place nationally in paddy procurement, while Telangana offered a ₹500 bonus per quintal.

Calling the projections “cooked-up,” he urged urgent corrective measures to prevent irreversible damage to the rural economy.