AP govt announces ₹50,000 per hectare aid for Onion farmers

The state government has announced a significant relief package for onion farmers who have been grappling with falling prices due to a surge in cultivation and heavy rains. Operating on the principle that the state’s prosperity is directly tied to the well-being of its farmers, the administration has decided to pay ₹50,000 per hectare in compensation to those affected. This initiative is set to benefit farmers cultivating onions across 45,000 acres.

CM Chandrababu stated that this decision, though a financial burden on the state, is unprecedented and reflects a deep-seated commitment to farmer welfare. The AP CM clarified that the payment will be based on "e-crop" data, providing crucial support to farmers regardless of the final price their produce fetches in the market. Farmers are advised to harvest, dry, and grade their crops and can sell them when they get a good price, with the compensation acting as a crucial safety net.

A Strong record of Farmer Support

This is not an isolated instance of support, as the AP CM highlighted the government's swift and consistent response to farmers' issues over the past 15 months. The government's actions include:

• Paddy Procurement: The government spent a total of ₹13,500 crore on paddy procurement, ensuring payments were deposited into farmers' accounts within 24 hours.

• Financial Assistance: Disbursed ₹3,200 crore into farmers’ accounts under the PM Kisan - Annadata Sukhibhava scheme.

• Horticulture Support: Provided ₹260 crore in support to mango farmers and spent ₹12 crore through Markfed to procure tomatoes, ensuring they received a fair price.

• Cash Crop Aid: Extended ₹271 crore to HD tobacco farmers to offset losses from a crash in international markets and spent ₹14 crore to pay cocoa farmers ₹50 per kg.

• Coffee Growers: Aided tribal coffee farmers by providing ₹50 per kg in compensation to mitigate losses from the berry borer pest.

AP CM concluded by reassuring farmers that the government is working with a sincere commitment to solve their problems. Farmers were encouraged to adopt better cultivation methods, focus on high-demand crops, and follow government advice to ensure their profession remains profitable.