Andhra Pradesh pushes crop diversification with subsidized staples, MSP guarantees

Andhra Pradesh is rolling out an incentive programme to encourage farmers to diversify away from paddy cultivation, offering subsidized rates for essential commodities while guaranteeing minimum support prices for alternative crops. Super-fine rice will be sold at ₹50 per kilogram and onions at ₹35 per kg under the scheme, officials said. The state government has promised full minimum support price (MSP) procurement for ragi, red gram and black gram to make these alternatives economically viable for farmers. The diversification push targets 8.81 lakh hectares currently under paddy and chilli cultivation during the rabi season. For other pulses and oilseeds including green gram, chickpea, groundnut and sunflower, the government has committed to procuring up to 30 per cent of production at MSP rates. Agricultural experts view the measure as an attempt to address groundwater depletion and soil degradation associated with intensive paddy farming in the state. The initiative also seeks to stabilize prices of essential commodities for consumers while providing farmers with assured markets for alternative crops, creating a dual benefit for agricultural sustainability and food security.