Farmers’ union leaders, political party representatives, and heads of various public organizations have demanded that the Andhra Pradesh State Government immediately release irrigation water to save standing paddy crops in the Krishna Delta. They warned of launching widespread protests if water is not supplied on time.
Government’s Policy Failure and Mismanagement
At a roundtable meeting organized by the Andhra Pradesh Raithu Sangham at Dasari Nagabhushana Rao Bhavan in Vijayawada, chaired by State President G. Eswarayya, speakers severely criticized the coalition government’s actions.
Misleading Campaign
The government actively promoted through media that Kharif operations would begin early by May 1 and urged farmers—90% of whom are tenant farmers across 13 lakh acres—to prepare seedbeds. However, it later abruptly asked farmers not to cultivate paddy due to water shortages.
Ignoring El Niño Warnings
Meteorologists had warned as early as last August about El Niño conditions affecting the upcoming Kharif season. The government’s failure to plan ahead has pushed farmers into severe distress.
Wastage of Water Resources
Leaders pointed out that water from the Pulichintala and Pattiseema projects—designed specifically to stabilize the delta during low-rainfall periods—was mismanaged and wasted.
Key Remarks by Prominent Leaders
M. V. S. Nagi Reddy (Former Vice-Chairman, Agriculture Mission): Stated that paddy could be cultivated using available Pattiseema water and incoming flows from the Krishna River. Asking farmers to stop cultivation reflects an utter lack of understanding, as crops have been successfully raised with limited water in the past.
A. B. Venkateswara Rao (Convener, Thought Leaders Forum & Retired DGP)
Demanded immediate water release and criticized the government’s lack of commitment to canal desilting, repairs, and project construction. He warned that unapproved upstream projects built by upper-riparian states threaten Andhra Pradesh’s water rights while the state government remains passive.
Y. Kesava Rao (Senior Leader, Raithu Sangham)
Stated that asking farmers to abandon paddy without offering viable alternatives leaves them stranded.
Annabathula Sivakumar (YSRCP Leader)
Highlighted that farmers across 5 to 6 lakh acres in the Western Krishna Delta are severely impacted, unsure of how to survive without paddy cultivation.
Simhadri Ramesh (Former MLA, Avanigadda)
Demanded the construction of two barrage projects downstream of Prakasam Barrage—at Chodavaram and Bobbarlanka—to permanently resolve irrigation issues for tail-end regions like Diviseema.
Kolla Rajamohan (President, Nallamala Raithu Sangham)
Condemned the government’s inaction despite having water reserves in Pulichintala and Pattiseema.
Resolutions and Demands Passed
A formal resolution was presented by P. Jamalayya, State General Secretary of the AP Tenant Farmers Association, outlining key demands to the state government:
1.Uninterrupted Free Power: Continuous free electricity supply for farmers with borewells who have already completed transplantation.
2. Subsidized Diesel: Distribution of subsidized diesel for farmers lacking power connections to save their crops using generators/pumps.
3. Input Subsidy: Immediate disbursement of input subsidies to farmers who suffered losses due to drought and water scarcity.
4. Free Crop Insurance: Restoration of the old scheme where the state and central governments fully cover crop insurance premiums without burdening farmers.
The meeting was attended by prominent leaders including Akkineni Vanaja and Donepudi Shankar (CPI), K. Polari and M. Ramakrishna (New Democracy), K. Sudheer (SUCI), Mannava Hari Prasad (Navyandhra Raithu Kooli Sangham), and several representatives from Congress, AISF, and regional farmer unions.
Principal Correspondent, Prime Post
CS Kulasekhar Reddy had thirty five years experience in journalism. He worked in Udayam and Andhra Bhoomi as reporter and sub-editor. He highlighted various social issues in Chitthoor, Ananthpur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. He covered assembly sessions and Secretariat happenings.
