CPI seeks urgent relief as Anantapur farmers suffer pomegranate crop losses

The  Communist Party of India (CPI) Andhra Pradesh State secretary Gujjula Eswaraiah urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to take immediate steps to support farmers at Kandukuru village in Anantapur Rural mandal after severe pest attacks and adverse weather conditions devastated pomegranate crops.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister on Wednesday, Mr. Eswaraiah said farmers who invested lakhs of rupees in horticulture crops by relying on loans were now left in distress due to massive crop losses. He criticised the Agriculture and Horticulture Department officials for allegedly neglecting the issue despite the worsening situation.

According to the CPI leader, nearly 20 farmers in Kandukuru village had taken up pomegranate cultivation with high hopes, investing heavily in the commercial crop. However, just as the crop was nearing harvest, viral infections and pest attacks severely damaged the orchards.

He said extreme summer temperatures coupled with unseasonal rains had triggered unusual viral diseases and infestations in the orchards. Mr. Eswaraiah alleged that Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBK) staff and Horticulture officials, who were expected to guide farmers at the village level, failed to provide timely advice or field support.

Due to the lack of proper technical guidance on pest control measures, farmers reportedly suffered crop losses estimated at nearly ₹2 crore and were forced to dump the damaged produce into ponds, he said.

He demanded that the government immediately send a special team of officials to Kandukuru village to assess the crop damage and provide compensation of ₹5 lakh per acre to every affected farmer. He also urged the government to ensure timely insurance settlements and financial assistance to help farmers recover from the crisis.