Hans News Service Vijayawada

The Andhra Pradesh Kisan Congress has urged the State government to take immediate measures to protect farmers from the looming drought threat, warning that deficient rainfall caused by El Niño conditions could severely impact agriculture across the State. The demand was made at the Andhra Pradesh Kisan Congress State Executive Committee meeting held at Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada on Thursday under the chairmanship of State Kisan Congress Chairman Kamana Prabhakara Rao.

The committee also demanded free fodder supply in drought-prone districts, adequate availability of urea and DAP through Rythu Seva Kendras without app-based restrictions, a minimum procurement price of Rs 300 per kg for tobacco along with a Rs 1,000 crore Price Stabilisation Fund. It further sought procurement of tomatoes at Rs 30 per kg, establishment of tomato processing units and cold storage facilities, subsidised power and remunerative prices for aqua farmers, and a procurement price of Rs 10 per kg for papaya backed by a Rs 5,000 crore Price Stabilisation Fund.

APCC Vice-President (Administration) Kolanukonda Shivaji, who attended as the chief guest, called upon the Kisan Congress to intensify its fight for farmers’ rights and assured the farming community of the Congress party’s continued support.