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The Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers’ Association has urged the State government to immediately credit the pending dues related to paddy procurement, transportation, and handling charges into farmers’ accounts. The association, on Thursday, submitted a memorandum to Manazir Jeelani Samoon, Managing Director of the Civil Supplies Corporation, highlighting the severe financial distress being faced by farmers across the State.
The association pointed out that the districts such as West Godavari, East Godavari, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, Krishna, NTR, and Guntur are among the worst-affected regions, with large amounts pending. “Pressure from lenders, growing interest on loans, and lack of response from officials have left farmers distressed,’‘ it said.
Association State secretary M. Haribabu said that paddy dues crossed ₹1,000 crore. The farmers had been waiting for payments more than two months after selling their Rabi harvest. While some initial payments were made, no funds have been credited to farmers since May 8.
In addition to the cost of harvesting, the farmers have been forced to pay upfront for transportation, labour, weighing, and gunny bags, which should have been covered by the government. With the Kharif season fast approaching, tenant and small farmers are now struggling to arrange fresh credit, buy seeds, and pay off old loans, he said.
“The situation is so dire that farmers are not just facing delays in payments but also losing eligibility for the zero-interest loan scheme, which requires repayment within the financial year. Because of delayed payments from the government, farmers will now have to pay interest on their borrowings,” he said.
He warned that continued government negligence may lead to State-wide protests.
The delegation included Mr. M. Haribabu, Krishna district unit secretary Panchakarla Rangarao, and NTR district leaders K. Srinivasa Reddy and G. Hanuman Reddy.
Published – June 26, 2025 08:13 pm IST
