Vijayawada, March 4 -- The Andhra Pradesh Government is implementing a clear and structured policy to balance paddy cultivation and encourage farmers to shift towards more profitable alternative crops, Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Replying to members' questions on crop diversification, Minimum Support Price (MSP), organic farming and tenant farmers' loans, the Minister said that during the 2025-26 crop year, a total of 38.97 lakh farmers cultivated paddy in the State.
Of them, 26.94 lakh farmers cultivated paddy during the Kharif season and 12.03 lakh during the Rabi season.
He told the House that in view of increasing groundwater usage in high paddy growing regions, the government is...