*  Central team completes ground-level study of Kharif 2024 drought impact

*  State govt had officially declared 54 mandals in 5 districts as drought-hit

State government has implemented relief measures such as distributing seeds at 80% subsidy, benefiting 1 lakh farmers at a cost of Rs.16.67 crore

Below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells, soil moisture deficits, and crop losses exceeding 33% Request for aid

* Financial aid of Rs.90.62 crore for input subsidies

* Rs.0.78 crore for rural water supply

* Rs.4.89 crore for urban water supply

* Rs.55.47 crore for animal husbandry initiatives

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to submit a detailed report to the union government on the Kharif 2024 drought conditions, seeking immediate financial assistance of Rs.151.77 crore to support affected farmers.

A central team led by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Smt. Perin Devi, conducted an extensive field study of the drought-hit areas and held discussions with senior state officials.

Special Chief Secretary for Revenue (Lands, Disaster Management, Stamps & Registration), R.P. Sisodia, provided an in-depth presentation to the central team on the drought conditions during a meeting at the State Disaster Management Authority office on Thursday. He emphasized the urgent need for the central government to respond generously and swiftly to mitigate the hardships faced by farmers.

Sisodia explained that the state government had officially declared 54 mandals in five districts as drought-hit, Annamayya District-19 mandals, Chittoor District-16 mandals, Sri Sathya Sai District- 10 mandals, Anantapur District- 7 mandals and Kurnool District- 2 mandals.

Of these, 27 mandals were categorized as severe drought areas, while the remaining 27 were classified as moderate drought regions. The declaration was based on central drought guidelines, including below-normal rainfall, prolonged dry spells, soil moisture deficits, and crop losses exceeding 33%.

The drought has severely affected 1.44 lakh farmers across 1.06 lakh hectares, damaging 14 types of crops, including cotton, jowar, groundnut, and red gram. To alleviate the situation, the state government has implemented relief measures such as distributing seeds at 80% subsidy, benefiting 1 lakh farmers at a cost of Rs.16.67 crore, providing fodder and fodder seeds worth Rs. 55.47 crore, supplying Total Mixed Ration (TMR) at 60% subsidy and chaff cutters at 40% subsidy and distributing veterinary medicines to support livestock health.

Sisodia further requested financial aid of Rs.90.62 crore for input subsidies, Rs.0.78 crore for rural water supply, Rs.4.89 crore for urban water supply, and Rs.55.47 crore for animal husbandry initiatives. He appealed to the central team to ensure immediate disbursement of Rs.151.77 crore to help farmers recover from the crisis.

During the meeting, Joint Secretary Devi assured that a comprehensive report on the drought and its impact on farmers would be submitted to the central government. She highlighted the severity of the situation after visiting the affected mandals in Annamayya, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, Chittoor, and Kurnool districts.

“We interacted with farmers who shared their struggles due to crop losses. The situation has been well-documented through a photo exhibition that clearly illustrates the extent of the drought. We will recommend all necessary assistance to the central government,” Devi stated.

The central team also included officials from various departments, such as the Department of Expenditure, NITI Aayog, the Central Water Commission, and the Ministries of Rural Development, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry.

The team interacted with state agriculture director Dilli Rao, Disaster Management Authority MD Ronanki Kurmanath, and other senior officials from municipal administration, PR & RD, RWS, public health, and allied departments.

Sisodia reiterated the state's commitment to providing factual data and urged the central government to expedite the approval of relief funds. “The farmers are in dire need of support, and timely assistance can help them rebuild their livelihoods,” he said.  

The central team acknowledged the state government’s proactive measures and promised to extend their full cooperation to ensure the affected farmers receive the required support.