Severe rains and strong winds over the past week have caused widespread devastation across banana plantations in Kadapa district, inflicting substantial financial losses on farmers whose crops were nearing harvest. With thousands of acres damaged, farmers now face an uncertain future as debt, investment losses and crop instability threaten their livelihoods.
Recognizing the emergency situation, YS Avinash Reddy visited affected areas along with local representatives and agriculture experts to assess the scale of damage firsthand. After interacting with distressed farmers, he demanded that the government initiate urgent relief measures, including compensation, insurance claim settlement and subsidy provisions.
Urgent Relief Intervention and Field Inspection
During the visit, Avinash Reddy listened to farmers reporting that their year-long investment in banana cultivation had collapsed within hours of extreme weather. Many highlighted that even after repeated requests, crop-insurance processing and disaster-relief approvals have been delayed, worsening their financial burden.
Calling the situation alarming, he insisted that immediate steps be taken to:
- Conduct transparent and fast ground-level assessment
- Release compensation without delay
- Clear pending crop-insurance claims
- Provide subsidy support for re-cultivation costs
- Extend bank loan restructuring and interest waiver assistance
He stressed that farmers cannot be left to struggle independent of government responsibility and emphasized the moral obligation to support those who feed the nation.
Crop Insurance & Accountability
Highlighting concerns raised by farmers regarding insurance delays and settlement disputes, Avinash Reddy reiterated that assurance without delivery is meaningless. He called for strict monitoring of insurance agencies, ensuring timely and fair disbursal aligned with actual field damage reports.
Support for Banana Growers and Agricultural Stability
Banana cultivation is a critical commercial crop in Kadapa, supporting tens of thousands of farmers and contributing significantly to local agribusiness and market supply chains. Weather-induced crop failure risks employment, trade linkages, and community livelihood stability.
Avinash Reddy emphasised that proactive relief measures are not only necessary but essential to maintain agricultural confidence and prevent collapse of rural economy structures.
Commitment to Farmers and Continued Advocacy
He assured farmers that he will continue to pursue the matter until compensation is released and their concerns are resolved. He urged the administration to act responsibly and prioritize farming families who face severe uncertainty.
The call for relief aligns with his long-standing advocacy for agricultural welfare, sustainable rural development and stronger support systems for small and marginal farmers.
