NDA restores chickpea seed subsidies cut by previous Andhra regime

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu on Wednesday criticized the previous state government for significantly reducing subsidies on chickpea and green manure seeds, a move that he said had impacted farmers across the region.

Achannaidus remarks highlighted the subsidy reductions implemented during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, which the minister characterized as detrimental to agricultural support systems. The previous administration had cut chickpea seed subsidies by 25 percent while simultaneously reducing the overall supply of both chickpea and green manure seeds to farming communities.

The current NDA-led administration has prioritized reversing these cuts as part of its broader agricultural support agenda. Atchannaidu's statements underscored the new government's commitment to restoring farmer-friendly policies and bolstering seed subsidy programs that had been curtailed under the previous regime.

The issue reflects the broader policy divergence between successive administrations in Andhra Pradesh regarding agricultural subsidies and farmer support mechanisms. Experts note that seed subsidies remain critical for smallholder farmers seeking to adopt improved crop varieties and maintain productivity levels across the state's agricultural sector.