Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched a sharp critique of the state government, accusing it of abandoning farmers at a time when crop prices have fallen to record lows, pushing cultivators into unprecedented financial distress.
Addressing the unfolding agrarian crisis, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the situation on the ground reflects a complete breakdown of support systems that are meant to protect farmers during market downturns.
Farmers Forced to Destroy Standing Crops
Highlighting the severity of the crisis, he pointed out that many farmers, unable to withstand continuous losses for weeks due to lack of price assurance or procurement support, have been forced to plough their standing crops using tractors. Such actions, he said, are not voluntary decisions but acts of desperation taken when cultivation becomes economically unviable.
“This is not just crop loss; it is the destruction of livelihoods built over months of labour,” he observed.
Allegations of Government Apathy
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy questioned the government’s priorities, stating that despite repeated warnings and visible distress signals, there has been no meaningful intervention to stabilise prices or compensate farmers.
He alleged that instead of addressing real issues such as minimum support price enforcement, procurement failures and delayed compensation, the government has resorted to diversionary publicity campaigns, masking the suffering of farmers with symbolic narratives.
Criticism of ‘Farmer-Centric’ Claims
Taking aim at repeated claims made in the name of farmer welfare, he questioned when the present administration had genuinely stood with farmers during the last 18 months.
“Standing with farmers requires timely action, not slogans,” he said, asserting that governance cannot absolve itself by shifting blame onto cultivators or treating them as responsible for market failures.
Need for Structural Agricultural Support
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy reiterated that farmers require:
- Assured minimum support prices
- Timely procurement of produce
- Compensation for crop losses
- Market intervention during price crashes
He stressed that without these institutional safeguards, farming becomes a high-risk activity, pushing rural households into debt and distress.
Governance Must Respond to Ground Realities
The former Chief Minister said the current crisis demands immediate corrective measures and transparency. According to him, ignoring farmer distress not only weakens the rural economy but also erodes trust in governance.
He emphasised that development must be inclusive and humane, ensuring that those who feed the nation are not left abandoned during crises.
Conclusion: Call for Accountability and Immediate Action
Concluding his remarks, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the plight of farmers should not be overshadowed by publicity exercises. He called upon the government to acknowledge policy failures, initiate corrective steps, and restore confidence among cultivators.
“Governance must confront suffering, not conceal it,” he said, reiterating his commitment to stand with farmers until justice, stability and dignity are restored.
