Andhra saw the El Niño drought coming in February, farmers still lost ₹20,000 an acre: Jagan
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the current state government of failing to implement preventive measures against an anticipated El Niño-induced drought. He claims that despite early warnings, the government's inaction has caused farmers to lose significant income and left them without necessary crop insurance or support.
Why it matters
The allegations highlight critical governance issues regarding disaster preparedness and agricultural policy in a major Indian state, directly impacting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Farmers in Andhra Pradesh who took up cultivation on the government’s assurances have lost ₹15,000 to more than ₹20,000 an acre and have been left without the protection of free crop insurance, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged on Thursday (September 17, 2026), blaming the State government’s failure to take timely preventive measures for aggravating the drought.
Addressing a video conference with party leaders, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the State was facing not merely an El Niño effect but a “yellow nino effect” (hinting at the colour of the TDP flag), alleging that the government had failed to respond adequately despite being aware of the possibility of deficient rainfall.
వైఎస్సార్సీపీ ప్రధాన కార్యదర్శులు, రీజనల్ కోఆర్డినేటర్లు, జిల్లా అధ్యక్షులతో శ్రీ వైయస్ జగన్ గారు వీడియో కాన్ఫరెన్స్. pic.twitter.com/GubJTAoWhY
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