The Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers Association has demanded the immediate formation of a “truth-finding committee” to probe the suicides of farmers and tenant farmers in the state, highlighting the deepening agrarian crisis and debt-related problems.
In a press release on Monday, the association’s state president A. Katamayya and general secretary P. Jamalayya urged the government to include representatives of farmers’ associations in the committee to ensure transparency and accountability. They pointed out that more than 300 farmers and ranchers have committed suicide since the coalition government assumed power, but the administration has acknowledged only 112 victims and ignored many deserving families.
Leaders have criticized the government for only recognizing those with Koulu Identification Cards (CCRCs), saying many affected families lack the cards due to administrative lapses. They urged authorities to verify suicides based on village-level records, community testimony and police reports rather than relying solely on official cards.
The association blamed government policies for driving farmers to despair, citing rampant increases in input costs – fertilizers, seeds and pesticides – as well as the removal of free crop insurance schemes, the lack of minimum support prices and the unavailability of input subsidies.
The leaders demanded immediate ex gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to each family of a suicide victim, continuous inclusion of affected families in welfare programmes, enactment of Kerala-style debt relief bill and proactive measures to protect agriculture and support farmers from debt traps.
Published – 26 Jan 2026 20:14 IST
