Ex-Bureaucrat Urges A.P. Govt to Support Struggling Tenant Farmers

Quick Summary

• Background: E.A.S. Sarma, former IAS officer, has urged Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu to address financial distress among tenant farmers.
• NABARD Study Findings:

– Rising input costs and stagnant income are driving farmers into debt.
– 88% of farmers (90% being tenants) in the guntur-Palnadu region are indebted, with reliance on private money lenders due to limited access to bank credit.
– Many tenant farmers lack Crop Cultivator Rights Cards (CCRCS), making them ineligible for goverment welfare schemes.

• Farmer Suicides:

– According to District Crime Records Bureau data revealed via RTI, 399 farmer suicides occurred in Palnadu district between January 1, 2014, and February 3, 2025.
– E.A.S. Sarma proposed giving ex gratia payments to affected families based on government guidelines (G.O. 43).

• Recommendations:

– Conduct a study within two months involving experts to analyze reasons for suicides and create pro-farmer policies.- Ensure all tenant farmers receive CCRCs and have access to crop insurance.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The findings from NABARD demonstrate the critical economic challenges facing tenant farmers in Andhra Pradesh-not just rising input costs but also structural issues like limited access to institutional credit and government support systems. Mr. Sarma’s appeal reflects the urgency of addressing these systemic gaps through targeted interventions such as issuance of CCRCs or formulation of more inclusive policies.

The alarming suicide statistics underscore a broader agrarian crisis that requires deeper investigation into socio-economic factors influencing farmer well-being. Prompt action by state authorities could mitigate future distress by enabling better financial security mechanisms like crop insurance or easier loan accessibility.

Such measures may not only improve the livelihood conditions for tenant farmers but also contribute positively toward rural stability-a vital component of India’s agriculture-driven economy.Read more: Link