Agriculture Minister's Inspection Tour Reveals 100% Crop Damage in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inspected flood-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, finding complete crop damage. He assured central cooperation for relief and criticized the previous state administration's policies. Emergency relief operations, including SDRF fund allocation and NDRF and IAF interventions, are underway.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan continued his two-day inspection tour of flood-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Friday. He assessed the damage to agricultural fields in Vijayawada and interacted with affected farmers.

Chouhan reported complete loss to Banana, Haldi, Paddy and vegetable crops. He assured that the central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directions, is cooperating with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to provide immediate relief. A Special SDRF fund of over Rs 3,448 crore will be allocated for relief efforts.

The minister blamed the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government for not implementing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana, which deprived farmers of compensation. He also called for long-term planning to manage such disasters. Emergency response teams have been actively involved, with NDRF rescuing and evacuating thousands of residents while IAF and Navy helicopters have distributed essential supplies.

(With inputs from agencies.)