HARVESTING HOPE: ANDHRA PRADESH'S TRANSFORMATION IN AGRICULTURE

Andhra Pradesh, once known as the "Rice Bowl of India," has fallen on hard times in the previous regime. Droughts, floods, and rising input costs have made it difficult for farmers to make a living. But under the able leadership of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the state has undergone a transformation in agriculture.

In the last four years, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has spent a staggering INR 1,75,007 Crores on reforms in the agriculture and allied sector. The government has also implemented a series of innovative schemes and initiatives to assist farmer's right from seed to crop sale and monetizing them. YSR RYTHU BHAROSA

One of the most successful schemes has been the "YSR Rythu Bharosa-PM Kisan". Like nowhere else in the country, the government has made special efforts to include tenant farmers, farmers cultivating RoFR (Forest) and Endowment Lands belonging to SC, ST, BC Minorities in this scheme. This scheme provides financial support of INR 13,500 to farmers by directly depositing the assistance into their bank accounts in 3 instalments every year. First instalment of Rs. 7,500 at the time of the Kharif sowing season, second instalment of Rs. 4,000 for harvesting Kharif crop and Rabi sowing expenditure, third instalment of Rs. 2,000 in January / February at the time of crop harvest. The scheme has helped to improve the financial security of farmers and has given them a much-needed boost as investment assistance. Every year around 53 lakh farmers including 1.5 lakh tenant farmers are getting benefited through this scheme. Towards this scheme, INR 33,210 Crores has been spent by the Government in the last 53 months.

YSR RYTHU BHAROSA KENDRAS