Latest news with #KAtchannaidu


Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
2 cr farmers await revival of free crop insurance scheme
Vijayawada: The inordinate delay in the revival of free crop insurance scheme has put about two crore farmers in a tight spot. Although farmers hoped that the govt will pump life back into the free crop insurance scheme ahead of the Kharif season, the govt remained silent even as the crop season commenced across the state. Curiously, agriculture minister K Atchannaidu promised in the assembly to launch the best crop insurance scheme. The state govt had in fact abruptly walked out of the crop insurance scheme implemented by the previous YSRCP regime stating that it was not beneficial either to farmers or the govt. The TDP-led NDA, which came to power last June, took time to study crop insurance schemes implemented by various states. Sources said that the govt is not keen to revive the scheme as it would anywhere between 2,500 and 3,000 crore. The previous YSRCP govt had also goofed up the crop insurance scheme when it wanted to implement the scheme without joining the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Three years later, the govt joined hands with the Centre and joined the Fasal Bima Yojana. According to information, the state govt used to pay a premium of 1,500-1,600 crore to cover certain crops under insurance. The Centre has been spending around 300-400 crore under Fasal Bima Yojana. The farmers were made to pay 10-15% of the total premium under Fasal Bima Yojana which costs around 500-700 crore to the farmers. Initially, the previous govt launched a complete free crop insurance scheme. However, the delay in payment of premium from the govt failed to give the desired results when the farmers lost their crops to the natural calamities. "The crop insurance scheme initiated by the our government between 2014-19 was the best. We are planning to bring a new scheme with requisite changes. The crop insurance policy adopted by the previous government not beneficial to the farmers," said Atchnnaidu during a debate in the assembly recently. He explained that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government was yet to pay crop insurance claims under free insurance-PMFBY after rabi 2022-23 to the farmers. He said that the PMFBY claims about 1,400 crore was not settled due to the bungling of the scheme and payments by previous govt.


Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
All REsources to be utilised to develop district: Atchanna
Parvathipuram: Andhra Pradesh minister K Atchannaidu emphasised the need to utilize all available resources to drive development in Parvathipuram Manyam district during the 'Suparipalanalo Tholi Adugu' programme held on Friday. The district was the first in the state to conduct this initiative, marking a significant step toward progress. Addressing the gathering, Atchannaidu noted that the state faced multiple crises over the past five years, with collapsed systems and a weakened financial status. He highlighted that the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth was 15 per cent between 2014-19 and 12.94 per cent in 2023-24, but only 8-9 per cent in the last five years. In contrast, Parvathipuram Manyam achieved an impressive 16.90 per cent GSDP growth in 2024-25, despite having only 50 per cent of its employee strength. The minister stated that the state government has stabilised over the past year, moving from a critical state to recovery. Key initiatives include the NTR Bharosa pension scheme, benefiting 65 lakh people with an annual expenditure of Rs. 34,000 crore, the reopening of Anna Canteens, and cylinder distribution under the Deepam scheme. Under the Thalliki Vandanam scheme, Rs 8,700 crore was deposited into the accounts of 67 lakh mothers, a historic achievement. Atchannaidu outlined plans for economic growth, including establishing food processing units through public-private partnerships. He also addressed long-pending issues like Janjhavathi and Kotia, promising resolution. The state has sanctioned medical colleges under a public-private partnership model and aims to resolve revenue grievances within a year. The minister highlighted the district's potential for tourism development and instructed forest officials to support related initiatives. Women, child, and tribal welfare minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani noted significant developmental works undertaken in the past year. District collector A Shyam Prasad presented a detailed report on achievements and future targets. The meeting resolved that no employee transfers would occur without replacements. As part of the programme, Atchannaidu distributed seeds to farmers, electric stoves and utensils to Anganwadi centers, and solar power equipment, reinforcing the government's commitment to grassroots development.


New Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra begins direct procurement of Black Burley tobacco, assures every leaf will be bought
GUNTUR: The State government has launched the procurement of Black Burley tobacco through Markfed, assuring farmers that every leaf will be purchased. Minister for Agriculture, Marketing, and Cooperation K Atchannaidu inaugurated the procurement centre at the Paruchuru Agricultural Market Yard on Thursday, reinforcing the state's commitment to agricultural welfare. Leading a farmers' rally from Paruchuru junction to the market yard, the minister inspected facilities and announced that HDR and HDM grade tobacco would be procured at Rs 12,000 per quintal, while HDX grade would be bought at Rs 6,000 per quintal. This marks the first-ever direct procurement of Black Burley tobacco by the State. Atchannaidu said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is prioritizing farmer support with subsidies, timely payments, and assured crop procurement. He noted that Rs 1,650 crore in pending paddy dues had already been cleared. The state has intervened this year to stabilize prices of chilli, mango, coconut, and tobacco. Farmers were urged not to fall for private companies' misleading promises and to maintain quality standards to meet export requirements. The initiative is expected to benefit farmers with over Rs 500 crore through five procurement centres across the state. Agriculture Special Chief Secretary B. Rajasekhar said the government aims to procure 20 million kg of tobacco, with the Chief Minister reviewing progress every two days. Markfed MD Manjeer Zilani Saman stated that procurement would be conducted online, with a 20% moisture cap.


Hans India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Govt to release Rs 168 cr subsidy for mango farmers
Tirupati / Chittoor: In a major move to support mango farmers in the State, Agriculture and Allied Sectors Minister K Atchannaidu announced that the government will release Rs 168 crore as subsidy. He emphasised the State's commitment to supporting mango growers in all possible ways and expressed the need to boost mango consumption further. During his one-day visit to Chittoor and Tirupati districts on Saturday, the Minister interacted with mango farmers, factory owners and processing unit operators. He assured them that the government would take all necessary measures to procure mangoes throughout the season, ensuring that farmers are not left in distress. The Minister visited the Damalacheruvu market yard in Pakala mandal and a fruit storage unit at Gollamadugu in Gudipala mandal. Addressing the farmers, he stated that they could sell their produce either in local mandals or markets, and that special counters have already been set up by the relevant departments to assist them. Highlighting the importance of the region, he said that the Damalacheruvu mango yard is the largest in the erstwhile Chittoor district. He also noted that this outreach was organised to understand the challenges of mango farmers and to offer any assistance they might need. He lauded the Chief Minister for his proactive stance in reviewing crop issues meticulously and frequently, an approach he described as unprecedented. Minister Atchannaidu revealed that Totapuri mangoes are cultivated across 5.5 lakh hectares, and they are primarily used for pulp. He appreciated the consistent efforts of MLAs from Puthalapattu, Chittoor and Chandragiri, who raised the issues of mango farmers with the Chief Minister. Responding swiftly, the Chief Minister announced an additional Rs 4 per kg for mangoes, ensuring the procurement price would not fall below Rs 12 per kg. This year, the Horticulture Department has sanctioned Rs 218 crore under the Comprehensive Horticulture Development Programme, with Rs 21.60 crore allocated to Chittoor district alone. Referring to the market influx from Karnataka, where mangoes are priced at Rs 3 per kg, the Minister said that such inflow should be controlled to protect local farmers. Tirupati District Collector Dr S Venkateswar cautioned that early harvesting before fruits ripen is causing losses and mentioned that mangoes from Krishnagiri were flooding the local market, leading to oversupply. He advised farmers to consider alternate crops as well. Chittoor MP Daggumalla Prasada Rao highlighted export issues due to the Russia-Ukraine war and increased export duties, which led to excess pulp remaining in factories last year and causing hardships for farmers. MLAs K Murali Mohan (Puthalapattu), Pulivarthi Nani (Chandragiri) and G Jagan Mohan (Chittoor) also shared their perspectives during the visit. Horticulture Secretary Rajasekhar Babu, Commissioner Srinivasulu Reddy, Joint Collectors G Vidyadhari and Shubham Bansal, and several district officials were present.


New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Turmeric ryots in Duggirala to get fire relief by June-end
GUNTUR: The State government will ensure compensation is disbursed to turmeric farmers affected by the Shubham Maheshwari Cold Storage fire in Duggirala by the end of June, said Minister for Agriculture K Atchannaidu and Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar. During a review at the Agriculture Commissioner's Office in Guntur district on Thursday, the ministers met officials, insurance representatives, and cold storage management. Guntur District Collector S Nagalakshmi and Agriculture Commissioner (in-charge) Suresh Kumar were also present. Minister Atchannaidu said New India Assurance had prioritised claims and all required documents were submitted. He assured that compensation approval is expected within a week. The cold storage management has been directed to arrange Rs 7,000 per quintal for the 294 affected farmers, as agreed on July 10, 2024. Marketing officials were told to prepare compensation slips, with disbursal to begin once insurance funds are credited to the HDFC-linked account. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar said the government submitted 46 documents and held 200 meetings with the insurer to ensure justice.