Addressing the media, Mr. Sailajanath alleged that the government was citing El Niño for the crisis instead of preparing a contingency plan. He claimed the State recorded a 54% to 56% rainfall deficit, severely affecting rain-fed crops, particularly groundnut, cotton and pulses, in Rayalaseema. Though farmers had been advised to take up alternative crops, groundnut and red gram seeds were not supplied, he alleged.
The YSRCP leader said 3,500 acres of paddy under the Nellore barrage was on the verge of drying up for want of water. He alleged that water was not being released to Rayalaseema projects despite the Srisailam reservoir being full.
Mr. Sailajanath demanded full per-acre compensation for drought losses, restoration of free crop insurance and reimbursement of premiums paid by farmers. He also sought ₹7 lakh compensation for families of farmers who died by suicide due to debt-related distress over the past two years.
He demanded nine hours of uninterrupted daytime power, free tanker water for drying citrus orchards and free fodder for livestock, alleging that fodder shortage was forcing farmers to sell cattle.
Criticising the government’s focus on Amaravati and investments, he said, “Data centres cannot provide food.”