Sun Mar 02 07:34:39 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh Minister Accuses Previous Government of Neglecting Agriculture

**Visakhapatnam, March 2, 2025** – Andhra Pradesh’s Agriculture Minister, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, has accused the previous YSRCP government of neglecting the state’s agriculture and irrigation sectors. He claims this neglect, despite these sectors being crucial for the state’s development, has caused significant hardship for farmers and fishermen.

Atchannaidu, who recently presented a ₹48,341 crore agriculture budget, stated that the current Chandrababu Naidu government is prioritizing agriculture and has implemented corrective measures. Key initiatives include the Annadatha Sukhibhava-PM Kisan Scheme, providing ₹20,000 in financial assistance to each farmer, with a total allocation of ₹9,400 crore. The government also plans to increase the use of drones and mechanization in agriculture to boost yields and reduce costs.

Further, the minister highlighted the government’s focus on horticulture cluster development, with plans for banana clusters in Anantapur, mango clusters in Annamayya, Chittoor and Tirupati, coconut clusters in Srikakulam and Godavari districts, and chilli clusters in Guntur and Prakasam districts. These clusters aim to stimulate economic activity and provide farmers with support prices, improved marketing facilities, scientific assistance, and bank loan access for byproducts. Atchannaidu contends that these initiatives stand in stark contrast to the previous administration’s alleged inaction.

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