Tadepalli, Feb 20: Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for neglecting the crisis being faced by chilli farmers in the state and demanded to take immediate action to support the farmers and start procurement to provide relief.
Taking to X, YS Jagan pointed out that chilli yields have dropped to just 10 quintals per acre, while production costs have risen to Rs 1.5 lakh per acre. With no buyers, farmers are being forced to sell their produce at a loss of Rs 10,000 per acre. Despite such severe crisis, the state government has not responded, and instead of addressing the issue, Naidu is attending political events in Delhi, giving it a misleading political spin.
YS Jagan also questioned Naidu’s move to write a letter to the Central Government seeking intervention, knowing fully well that NAFED has never procured chillies in any state. He accused Naidu of misleading farmers instead of using state resources like Markfed to procure chillies and stabilize prices.
Highlighting the measures taken during his tenure, YS Jagan reminded that in 2021, when production costs were Rs 1 lakh per acre, his government had already set a minimum support price of Rs 7,000 per quintal. His administration not only ensured MSP for 24 crops but also spent Rs 65,000 crore on paddy procurement and Rs 7,800 crore on other crops. He asked why Naidu has not announced new support prices or started procurement to help chilli farmers.
YS Jagan further exposed the failures of Naidu’s government, listing how crucial agricultural support systems like Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs), e-crop verification, free crop insurance, and price stabilization funds were rendered ineffective under his leadership.
YS Jagan declared that he will not stop fighting for farmers despite cases being filed against him. He urged Naidu to stop playing politics and take immediate steps to help chilli farmers by launching government procurement without delay.
Chandrababu is anti-farmer
