Accusing the Andhra Pradesh government of having failed to take effective steps for the welfare of farmers, Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday vowed to intensify struggle on the issue.
“The farmers are not getting the remunerative minimum support price. Their stocks have not been purchased yet. The price of seeds has gone up and yet they are not available. The scarcity, coupled with black-marketing, has made it difficult for farmers,” Mr. Naidu told reporters in Hyderabad.
Even if farmers start agricultural operations somehow, they are confronted with escalating prices of good quality fertilisers, he said after holding a meeting on farmers’ issues with other opposition parties including CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) and Lok Satta.
“Flood-hit farmers have not been given input subsidy. The expenses have risen. The loans have not been rescheduled as promised. Godown space is not available to farmers to store their produce. Wheat from north India is stored in godowns here. Even gunny bags are not available,” he said.
“The situation is such that farmers have declared crop holiday. This is a form of non-cooperation by the farmers. Farmers in 16 mandals in East Godavari have refused to sow fresh crops though there is no scarcity of water there. It reflects the situation,” the TDP chief said, adding that his party would launch protests to mount pressure on the State government.
“We will launch signature campaign from village level. We will give a representation to the State government, Centre and try to enlist the support of various other parties and organisations,” Mr. Naidu added.
