YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has raised concerns about banana market conditions in Andhra Pradesh, stating that growers are under pressure as bananas are reportedly selling for Rs 0.50 per kilo, equal to US$0.006. He said this has created distress among producers and criticised the current state government.
Jagan said that during the previous YSRCP administration, railway cargo services were used to transport bananas and sugarcane, reducing reliance on intermediaries and lowering logistics costs. He noted that banana exports increased from around 23,000 tons before his government came to power to nearly 300,000 tons under YSRCP initiatives. He argued that current market conditions differ sharply, saying, "Is Chandrababu running a government or grazing donkeys?"
He called for immediate market intervention to stabilise conditions for growers. Jagan also instructed party Members of Parliament to raise issues affecting banana farmers and other agricultural producers.
Jagan referred to damage caused by Cyclone Montha in October and early November, which the party says affected several lakh hectares of crops across coastal districts. According to a YSRCP statement, farmers who lost their crops have not received compensation from either state or central authorities. Jagan said the lack of Minimum Support Price enforcement has left producers vulnerable to traders and middlemen.
He said MSP levels have dropped across crops such as banana, mirchi, and mango. He asked party MPs to demand emergency relief and reinstatement of guaranteed procurement systems.
Jagan said free crop insurance provided during the YSRCP government, without a premium, has been discontinued, and that farmers are currently not receiving input subsidies. He added that the removal of e-crop enumeration has created gaps in crop records, preventing farmers from accessing compensation or support. He said mirchi farmers were assured assistance but did not receive it, and mango growers faced losses due to non-payment by companies.
He also raised concerns about rural employment, alleging that a large number of MGNREGA job cards have been deleted, referencing 18.63 lakh cardholders removed from official lists. He requested reinstatement of all eligible cards and payment of pending wages.
Jagan concluded by asking MPs to oppose any effort to privatise parts of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
Source: ANI
