Jagan Accuses Chandrababu Naidu of Failing to Protect Farmers

YSRCP President Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly criticized the Andhra Pradesh government, alleging that it has completely ignored the plight of farmers who are struggling to secure Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for their produce. He expressed deep concern that despite ongoing protests by farmers across the state, the government has not responded to their grievances.

In a tweet addressing Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy stated, “Chandrababu garu… despite widespread protests by farmers over the non-availability of MSPs, neither you, your ministers, nor your administration have shown even the slightest concern. Is it just to not even look towards them?”

He highlighted that a range of crops—including chillies, cotton, jowar, red gram, green gram, black gram, maize, pearl millet, finger millet, groundnut, tomato, banana, sugarcane, and tobacco—are failing to secure MSPs in the market. He accused the government of neglecting its fundamental duty to intervene in the market and protect farmers, instead deceiving them with what he described as theatrical actions.

Referring specifically to the issue of chilli procurement, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged, “Chandrababu garu, you deceived chilli farmers by claiming that the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) would procure the crop—even though the matter does not fall under the Central government's purview. You promised procurement at ₹11,781 per quintal, but not a single rupee was spent, nor was a single quintal procured from any farmer.”

He further stated that during the previous YSRCP administration, ₹3,000 crore was allocated under the Price Stabilization Fund, with ₹7,796 crore spent over five years. He emphasized that even though the government has not introduced any new initiatives, continuing the previous administration’s policies could have brought relief to farmers. He criticized the current allocation of only ₹300 crore in this year’s budget and questioned whether even a single rupee of that amount had been spent.

“Farmers of paddy, cocoa, tobacco, and aquaculture are protesting in various districts, yet the government behaves like Emperor Nero, fiddling while Rome burns,” said Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He warned that with 60% of the population dependent on agriculture, the sector’s neglect could lead to a severe crisis and threaten the livelihoods of millions.

Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded that the government immediately intervene in the market to ensure MSPs are provided. He urged that for crops lacking MSPs, the government itself should intervene and procure produce through the Andhra Pradesh State Co-operative Marketing Federation (MARKFED).