Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is on a two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to assess the damage caused by recent floods. Today, Shri Chouhan visited Kesarpalli in the Gannavaram Assembly Constituency of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, and interacted with local farmers. He also conducted aerial surveys of flood-affected regions in Telangana, including Meenavalu, Peddagopavaram, Mannur, Kattleru, Khammam, and Munneru.
During his visit, Shri Chouhan met with residents of Khammam and addressed their concerns. He reassured the public that the Central Government is committed to providing immediate relief and support. “We are working together with the State Government to navigate this crisis. The Central Government stands with you, and we will assist farmers through this challenging time,” he stated.
The Minister showed empathy towards the farmers' plight, recalling a poignant moment when he comforted a distressed farmer who had lost his crops. Shri Chouhan promised that the government would assess the damage and provide appropriate compensation. He also assured that loan recovery from farmers would be paused during the crisis, and there would be no shortage of fertilizers and seeds for future crops.
Shri Chouhan highlighted four key priorities in the response plan:
Immediate aid to affected farmers.
Facilitation of crop insurance benefits.
Support for farmers who lease land.
Provision of resources for the next crop cycle.
He acknowledged the critical role of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in managing the crisis. “Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Naidu are deeply concerned about the situation. The State Government, under Chief Minister Naidu’s leadership, is working with sensitivity and efficiency, and the Central Government will fully support these efforts,” he said.
The Union Minister also announced that an immediate assistance package of Rs. 3,448 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), including the Centre’s share, is being mobilized. Beyond immediate relief, the government is focused on ensuring that farmers receive the necessary inputs for their next crop. Efforts are ongoing to address the challenges faced by the agricultural community in the affected regions.