Minister dares YSRCP leaders for a debate on fertilizer supply in A.P.

Information and Public Relations (I&PR) and Housing Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy has said there is no truth in the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)’s allegation that fertilizer scarcity crippled agricultural activity in the State and dared its leaders to come for a public debate so that facts could be established.

Addressing media persons at the TDP central office near Mangalagiri on Monday, Mr. Parthasarathy said the coalition government made 7 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) of urea available to farmers compared to only 5 lakh MT supplied during the YSRCP regime. Already, 5.69 lakh MT had been supplied by the end of August 2025 and another 40,000 MT was in the process of being distributed by September 10, whereas about 1,500 MT of fertilizers were diverted to the black market during 2019-24, he added.

The Minister said as per its commitment, the government was crediting payments for paddy procured by it, into the bank accounts of farmers within 24 hours, which no other government could do in the past. In contrast, the previous YSRCP government used to make payments after a minimum delay of three months, and it withheld ₹1,624 crore that was due to farmers.

The NDA government purchased 68 lakh tonnes of paddy and paid a total of ₹18,000 crore in just 15 months. Support prices were ensured for mango, tobacco, cocoa and onions and agricultural machinery was being provided at 90% subsidy, he said.

The government planned to spend ₹1 lakh crore to ₹1.50 lakh crore on irrigation projects in five years (2024-29), of which ₹75,000 crore had already been incurred.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is personally reviewing issues related to agriculture and irrigation, and if the YSRCP leaders have the courage, they should participate in a meaningful debate instead of creating panic among farmers through mischievous propaganda, Mr. Parthasarathy said.