Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday released the first instalment of financial assistance under the Annadata Sukhibhava - PM-Kisan scheme, crediting ₹3,125 crore directly to the bank accounts of 46.85 lakh farmers across the State for the 2026 kharif season.

Under the first phase of the scheme, each eligible farmer received a financial assistance of ₹7,000.

Addressing a public meeting at Linganguntla village, near Chilakaluripet, in Palnadu district, Mr. Naidu said the coalition government was fulfilling its election promise of extending ₹20,000 annually to the farmers in three instalments through the combined support of the Central and State governments.

The Chief Minister accused the previous YSRCP government of neglecting the agriculture sector and failing to promote sustainable farming practices.

Earlier, Mr. Naidu inspected the stalls set up by the Agriculture and Horticulture departments at the venue, where he reviewed the exhibits on Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), women-led processing units, vermicompost production, the National Oilseeds Mission, oil palm cultivation and waste-to-energy initiatives. He also joined the farmers in virtually watching Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in the PM-Kisan programme.

The Chief Minister said the government was supporting farmers from seed supply to marketing, and ensuring payments for procured produce in 48 hours. He added that the administration was strengthening e-crop registration and sending advisories to the farmers through mobile-based messaging services.

Expressing concern over excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, Mr. Naidu referred to the recent rejection of three chilli consignments by China. He said global markets were increasingly imposing stringent standards on agricultural imports and urged farmers to adopt natural farming practices to enhance soil health and improve export prospects.

“Natural farming is the antidote to excessive use of chemicals,” Mr. Naidu said, noting that nearly 20 lakh acres were currently under natural cultivation in the State. He added that the State received international recognition, including the Planet Food Prize from Switzerland, for promoting sustainable agriculture.

Highlighting measures taken to support various farming sectors, he said the government had reduced aqua feed prices by ₹4 per kg, provided support to Totapuri mango growers and procured burley tobacco at a cost of ₹279 crore, while directing authorities to ensure prices did not fall below ₹200 per kg of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco.

Polavaram project

Mr. Naidu reiterated the government’s commitment to complete the Polavaram irrigation project by April 2027. He said it would transform the State’s irrigation landscape by bringing water to the drought-prone regions, including Palnadu.

As part of the Swachh Andhra–Swarna Andhra initiative, he said foundation stone had been laid for the waste-to-energy plants in Kadapa and Kurnool districts, with officials expecting the facilities to become operational by December 2026. The State planned to establish eight such plants, he said.

Ministers Kinjarapu Atchannaidu (Agriculture) and Gottipati Ravi Kumar (Energy), MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Chilakaluripet MLA Prathipati Pulla Rao and senior officials attended the programme.