Heavy winds and rains have impacted banana crops in Kadapa, leaving horticulture farmers in distress. At the Zilla Parishad general body meeting, chaired by Chairman Mutyala Govind Reddy, the focus was on crop damage and the need for government intervention, writes the NIE.
ZPTC members from YSRCP, representing regions such as Vempalle, Chinthakomma Dinne, Veerapunayunipalle, Vemula, and Chakrayapet, reported devastation across hundreds of acres of banana plantations. The banana market price dropped from approximately $290 to $97 per ton, causing significant financial losses for farmers. Members called for the operationalization of the cold storage facility in Pulivendula, valued at approximately $4 million, which was inaugurated by former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
TDP MLC Bhumireddy Ramgopal Reddy criticized Pulivendula market yard officials for neglecting farmer concerns and demanded the implementation of the "Annadata Sukhibhava" scheme. He questioned the number of eligible farmers and called for transparency.
District Collector Dr. Sridhar Cherukuri stated that data for over 364,000 farmers had been submitted for relief measures. He mentioned plans to promote horticulture across 40,468 hectares and assured fair prices through an online marketing system.
Proddatur MLA N Varadarajulu Reddy expressed concern over the sale of spurious seeds and pesticides, noting the disparity between input costs and output prices. MLC Bhumireddy accused Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank officials of delaying interest subsidy funds for crop loans. ZPTC member Shiprasad Reddy from Chakrayapet raised concerns about poor rainfall affecting irrigation and drinking water supplies.
Source: New Indian Express