Declare drought emergency in Andhra Pradesh, demands YSRCP leader
A YSRCP leader has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to declare a drought emergency following a 54.73% rainfall deficit. The demand includes a special relief package and direct financial assistance for farmers struggling with crop losses and rising cultivation costs.
Why it matters
Agricultural distress in India significantly impacts food security and the livelihoods of millions of rural citizens.
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) State general secretary for agriculture and farmers’ welfare M.V.S. Nagi Reddy has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government declare drought emergency and announce a special relief package for farmers in view of the severe rainfall deficit and crop losses.
Addressing a press conference at the party central office at Tadepalli on Sunday, Mr. Nagi Reddy said Andhra Pradesh recorded 54.73% deficit rainfall, affecting 653 of the 685 mandals. The situation was particularly serious in Annamayya, Prakasam, Chittoor, Markapuram and Visakhapatnam districts, he said.
Mr. Nagi Reddy said the extent of cultivation in the State had also declined sharply. Only 69% of the normal cultivated area had been covered, against 98.3% nationally and 91.84% in Telangana, he said.
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