AP credits Rs 1,820 crore to accounts of 15.15 lakh farmers

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the government has taken the responsibility of supporting the farmers during tough times, and the free crop insurance scheme is part of the state's assistance. He said, unlike the process set up by the previous government, the state and central governments will pay an even share of the insurance premium on behalf of the farmers. The state government had revamped the scheme ensuring that all the farmers enrolled in the government's e-crop platform will get their share of insurance directly without the need for middlemen.

The chief minister said that a total of Rs 3,788.25 crore was spent on the insurance scheme in the last 23 months, which included pending dues of Rs 715.84 crore left by the previous government. The state government had also spent Rs 83,000 crore towards farmers' welfare in the last 23 months, where Rythu Bharosa scheme had alone cost the government Rs 17,029 crore.

Further, Jagan explained the establishment of 1,0778 RBKs (Rythu Bharosa Kendras) and their integration with village secretariats to benefit the farmers. He said that losses in 2020 Kharif are being compensated by the onset of the next Kharif, ensuring that no farmer suffers anymore. He said RBKs serve the purpose are multi-purpose centres that display compensation for crop loss in a transparent manner where any farmer can get enrolled. They also serve the purpose of crop purchasing centres, he said.

He said that the state government had credited Rs 1,038 crore as input subsidy for the farmers who lost their crops in natural calamities, ensuring that every farmer gets compensated within the same season. The government had also spent Rs 18,342 crore for procuring paddy and Rs 4,761 crore towards purchasing other crops and support to the farmers. In order to provide free nine-hour electricity to the farmers during daytime, Rs 17,430 crore was spent. Additionally, the government had cleared Rs 960 crore paddy procurement arrears and Rs 384 crore seed procurement arrears left over by the previous government.

Supporting the farmer community, the government had set up agriculture advisory committees at village, zonal, district and state levels in connection with the RBKs to guide the farmers in crop planning. To benefit dairy farmers, the state signed an MoU with Amul to give a better price for the produce, with an additional Rs 5 to Rs 15 per liter to the farmers. The government is going to set up multi-purpose centres under each RBK at a cost of Rs 14,000 crore. Under the YSR Jala Kala scheme, the government had provided over two lakh borewells at a cost of Rs 4,932 crore, while also providing motors to poor farmers. He said that the government kept every promise made during elections and has strictly implemented the election manifesto.

Ministers K. Kannababu, special chief secretary Poonam Malakondaiah, AP Agri Mission vice chairman M.V.S. Nagi Reddy and other officials participated in the event.