Farmers yet to receive sops in drought-hit areas

Nellore: The state government had declared 45 mandals out of 46 in the district as drought hit. Ironically, last year input subsidy has still been kept pending. Farmers associations and others question rationality of declaring drought hit mandals without providing any benefits.

In fact, farmers expect some relief measures when the area is declared as drought hit. They expect financial assistance for agriculture in the form of subsidies, incentives and supply of seeds and fodder for animals. Normally, input subsidy, rescheduling of crop loans, increasing working days to NREGS workers, fodder supply, supply of seeds at maximum subsidy, and some immediate works in the affected villages are expected.

But, this is not being done properly due to interference of politicos who announce sops orally without any substantial assurance from the government. The state government had released Government Order recently declaring 45 mandals, except Tada mandal, as drought hit areas.

“There were no major benefits to the farmers with this eyewash statements of the politicos and GOs. They have to support really who produce food grains. There has been no support after a central team visited the district last year and the state government has also been keeping mum,” said Chirasani Kotireddy, State Secretary of Consortium of Indian Farmers' Associations (CIFA).

In fact, drought has been reported for last four years. 33 mandals in 2015, 27 mandals in 2016, 15 mandals in 2017 and 45 mandals in 2018 were declared as drought hit areas. But, torrential rains lashed the district in November 2015 and since then there was no significant rainfall in the district.

A central team visited the district last year which noticed conditions in the areas close to the National Highway and submitted its ‘undisclosed’ report to the Union government. Input subsidy was announced and officials say still it is under process. Only a few crop loans were rescheduled.

This year also normal man-days of 100 have been increased to 150 days under MGNREGS. Agriculture Minister announced supply of seeds at 100 pc subsidy to the affected farmers which has to become a reality.

“There are only announcements without practical support to the farmers. Input subsidies, loans rescheduling and others have not done so far. Steps have to be taken immediately. Otherwise, there would be huge loss and farmers lose confidence on the government,” said K Govardhan Reddy, YSR Congress district convener.

This year crops under bore wells are damaged due to famine conditions. Redgram, greengram, blackgram, jowar, bajra, and others may get damaged due to shortage of water, officials maintain.

“The Government has proposed increase of mandays under NREGS programme, input subsidies, loan rescheduling, supply of seeds at subsidised cost and many more to the farmers. Government has not yet issued GO on guidelines,” said B Chandra Naik, Joint Director of Agriculture. He said loans were rescheduled in 15 mandals last year.