VIJAYAWADA: At a public hearing organised by Rythu Swarajya Vedika (RSV) in Vijayawada on Wednesday, several tenant farmers poured out their woes. Moved by their helplessness, the jury consisting of social worker Medha Patkar, former minister Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao and farmer leader PS Ajay Kumar urged the State government to amend the Andhra Pradesh Crop Cultivator Rights Act, removing the requirement of land owner’s signature to safeguard the interests of tenant farmers. The government should ensure that tenant farmers get bank loans and benefits of all the schemes, including disaster compensation, crop insurance and procurement.
About 150 tenant farmers from various districts participated in the public hearing, and 15 tenant farmers were deposed before the people’s jury bringing forward various dimensions of problems being faced by them. In particular, they highlighted how they are finding it extremely difficult to obtain Crop Cultivator Rights Card (CCRC) to enjoy all the government support. Rythu Swarajya Vedika senior activist Kirankumar Vissa presented the findings of RSV which extensively surveyed 4,154 tenant farmers in 34 villages spread over 12 undivided districts of the State in 2022.
He said only 8.8% of tenant farmers received Crop Cultivator Rights Cards (CCRCs) and the biggest obstacle reported by tenant farmers in getting CCRCs is the requirement of land owner’s signature. It was pointed out that though the government promised Rythu Bharosa to landless tenant farmers, only 3% of them received it.
“A majority of tenant farmers who suffered crop loss due to natural calamities, are not receiving any disaster relief or insurance cover due to lack of CCRCs,” he stated. Medha Patkar said, “The food we eat today is produced by the efforts of tenant farmers. Today, I was shocked to hear the plight of tenant farmers. The YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government should not limit itself to the welfare schemes, but ensure that the rights of tenant farmers are well protected.”