The 4th State Conference of the Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers’ Association (Andhra Pradesh Koulu Rythu Sangham), affiliated with the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), concluded successfully in Uyyuru town of Krishna district after three days of deliberations, marked by a massive rally, public meeting, and organisational decisions.

The conference commenced on April 26 with an impressive farmers’ rally followed by a public meeting at the Veeramma Thalli temple premises. Addressing the gathering, Ashok Dhawale, National President of AIKS, sharply criticised India’s trade agreements, particularly with countries like the United States, warning that such policies have severely impacted the agricultural sector.

Dhawale expressed concern over proposed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with nations including the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, stating that these could further harm farmers’ interests. He highlighted the deepening agrarian crisis, attributing it to rising input costs - such as fertilisers, pesticides, diesel, and seeds—alongside what he described as flawed government policies.

He also criticised the lack of meaningful land reforms since Independence and the growing influence of middlemen, which, he said, deprives farmers of fair prices and pushes many into debt. Dhawale accused both Central and State governments of failing to safeguard farmers, and alleged that previously repealed farm laws were being reintroduced in new forms, including through initiatives like a National Platform for Agricultural Marketing that could weaken Agricultural Market Committees.

Calling for urgent reforms, he demanded legal protection for tenant farmers through a comprehensive tenancy law, assured crop compensation, and guaranteed procurement. He urged farmers to unite and intensify their struggles to secure their rights.

He emphasized that if struggles are sustained until issues are resolved - without being abandoned midway - the credibility and strength of the association among farmers will grow. This, in turn, would contribute to the expansion and development of the agricultural sector. He added that it is not sufficient to limit struggles only to economic issues; a broader and more determined approach is necessary.

Other speakers at the public meeting included Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, Maganti Haribabu, Y Radhakrishna,, Y Kesava Rao and K Prabhakar Reddy.

Haribabu demanded interest-free institutional loans for tenant farmers and implementation of the M S Swaminathan Commission recommendations, including fixing Minimum Support Price (MSP) at 50% above the cost of production. Leaders also called for tenant farmer ID cards, pensions, and financial assistance to families of deceased farmers.

Delegate Session

On April 27, the delegate session proceedings started with flag hoisting by Y Radhakrishna and tributes to martyrs. The session was presided over by Y Radhakrishna, M Rajasekhar and Lakshmi Sailaja. 185 delegates from 21 districts attended the delegates’ session, held over two days, with 24 delegates participating in the discussion. Among them, the oldest participant was 88-year-old Bhimavarapu Subbareddy from Unguturu in Krishna district, while the youngest was 29-year-old N Nageswara Rao.

The General Secretary’s report, presented by Maganti Haribabu, highlighted significant organisational growth and struggles over the past three years. Membership of the association reportedly increased threefold - from 18,500 to over 57,000. The report was adopted unanimously after detailed discussions.

While speaking at the delegate session of the conference V Srinivasa Rao, State Vice President of the Andhra Pradesh Koulu Rythu Sangham, called for transforming Village Secretariats into centres of struggle to address the issues faced by tenant farmers. He criticized the government for extending concessions worth Rs 22,000 crore to the Adani-Google data centre project—expected to generate only 5,000 to 6,000 jobs—while failing to provide adequate subsidies and incentives to farmers and tenant farmers. He pointed out that tenant farmers live in constant fear, as demanding identity cards, reduced lease rents, or access to benefits such as the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme could result in them being denied land for cultivation.

He further criticized the current Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition government for continuing to enforce what he termed a “malicious law,” originally introduced by the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government, which requires a landowner’s signature for issuing identity cards to tenant farmers. He urged tenant farmers to organise and intensify their struggle against governments that act in collusion with landlords, and to demand legislation that protects their interests. He also emphasised the need to build class and political consciousness among tenant farmers.

Fraternal Solidarity

Leaders of various people’s organizations while addressing the conference, stressed the importance of united movements to effectively resist and reverse anti-people policies. They alleged that the TDP alliance government, since assuming power, has been forcibly acquiring vast tracts of land in the name of development. They also stated that farmers and tenant farmers are incurring heavy losses due to the failure to establish adequate procurement centres for crops such as maize. Criticizing both the Central and State governments, they accused them of facilitating the transfer of national wealth to corporate entities.

They further pointed out irregularities in procurement practices, alleging that excess grain is being deducted on the pretext of moisture content, while some millers and middlemen arbitrarily reduce the prices paid to farmers. They recalled that farmers and tenant farmers had previously secured the Minimum Support Price (MSP) through sustained protest movements against such exploitation.

Call for Unity and Struggle

The conference culminated on April 28 with the election of a new 48-member State Committee. B Balaram was elected President, Maganti Haribabu as General Secretary, and Y Radhakrishna as Treasurer. The committee includes 11 office bearers and 37 members.

An agricultural exhibition held alongside the conference showcased modern farming technologies, high-yield seed varieties, machinery, drones, and organic products. A photo exhibition tracing the history of farmers’ movements in India also drew attention. Cultural performances by artistes of Praja Natya Mandali added vibrancy to the event.

The conference concluded with a renewed call for unity among farmers and a commitment to intensify struggles for securing the rights and livelihoods of tenant cultivators across Andhra Pradesh.