Naidu Seeks Centre’s Support for AP Maize Farmers
CM urges intervention as market prices fall below MSP
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought the intervention of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for procurement of maize raised during the 2025-26 rabi season in Andhra Pradesh.
In a letter to the Union minister, the Chief Minister said maize farmers in the state were worried as market prices had fallen sharply, with a quintal fetching only ₹1,600 to ₹1,700 against the minimum support price of ₹2,400 per quintal.
Naidu stated that Andhra Pradesh was expecting a maize output of nearly 42.06 lakh metric tonnes, while an additional 14.26 lakh metric tonnes was at the harvesting stage.
He said lack of central support for maize procurement would place a financial burden on the state and appealed for direct payment of the price difference to farmers under PM-AASHA.
The Chief Minister specifically urged the Centre to treat Andhra Pradesh as a special case and provide 100 per cent funding for the price difference in maize procurement. He also sought extension of PM-AASHA till June 2026 and permission to implement the scheme in coordination with NAFED and AP Markfed.
