By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has criticised the TDP-led coalition government for “failing to support onion farmers,” alleging that the growers are facing severe financial distress due to record-low market prices.

APCC president Y.S. Sharmila on Friday posted on X, saying farmers were spending nearly ₹1.20 lakh per acreto cultivate onion, but they were being forced to sell their produce at 50 paise per kg (₹50 per quintal), leaving them with an income of only ₹3,000 per acre.

Ms. Sharmila said it translated into losses of over ₹1.15 lakh per acre, driving many farmers into debt. She alleged that the government’s promise to ensure a minimum support price of ₹1,200 per quintal through Markfed had not been implemented. “Not a single kg has been procured, and farmers are abandoning their produce in markets as they cannot even recover labour costs,” she said.

Ms. Sharmila criticised the government for prioritising cinema ticket price hikes while ignoring farmers’ plight, and demanded that the government immediately intervene, honour its procurement commitment, and curb the alleged manipulation by middlemen in Kurnool and other markets.