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Drought relief input subsidy (Andhra Pradesh) Photo: Sachin Mamtora · Pexels License · source ↗

Drought relief input subsidy (Andhra Pradesh)

The drought relief input subsidy is the operational compensation paid to farmers in mandals officially notified as drought-affected by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. It is financed jointly through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), and is the principal cash transfer that follows a drought declaration by the State Drought Mitigation Cell (Ap Drought Mitigation Cell).

Scope and launch

The subsidy operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs SDRF/NDRF framework as updated by the 15th Finance Commission. Rates are reviewed periodically; the standard is uniform across states though the trigger thresholds and disbursement workflow are state-administered. AP last issued large-scale notifications during the 2018-19 and 2023-24 kharif droughts in Rayalaseema.

Eligibility

  • The farmer's mandal must be officially declared drought-affected through a gazette notification by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Crop loss must be 33 percent or greater, certified by a joint survey of the Agriculture Department, Revenue Department and the local Rythu Bharosa Kendra (Rbk Rythu Bharosa Kendra Anantapur).
  • Cultivation must be evidenced in the e-Crop record or the village cropping register.
  • Tenant farmers registered as Crop Cultivator Rights Cards (CCRC) holders are also eligible, subject to landowner endorsement under AP norms.

Benefit structure

Indicative SDRF rates (per Manual for Drought Management 2016 and subsequent revisions):

  • Rainfed / dryland crops: about Rs 8,500 per hectare, capped at 2 hectares per farmer.
  • Irrigated crops: about Rs 17,000 per hectare, capped at 2 hectares per farmer.
  • Perennial / horticulture crops: about Rs 22,500 per hectare.
  • A minimum of Rs 1,000 is paid to every eligible small and marginal farmer regardless of area.

These figures are revised by the Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time; current-year rates should be confirmed before farmer communication.

Implementation

Crop-cutting and area verification surveys are conducted at mandal level. Beneficiary lists are finalised at the RBK and uploaded to the AP One platform. Payments are released by DBT directly to the farmer's Aadhaar-seeded bank account. Crop insurance under PMFBY (Pmfby Crop Insurance) runs in parallel; the input subsidy is not deducted from insurance pay-outs.

How farmers register

Farmers do not file an individual application. After notification, the RBK Agriculture Assistant validates the cultivated area against the e-Crop record. Grievances are filed at the RBK or through the AP Grievance Redressal portal. Payments typically reach beneficiary accounts 60-120 days after notification.

See also: AP State Drought Mitigation Cell, PMFBY crop insurance, Rythu Bharosa Kendra (Anantapur), Neeru Meeru watershed.

Sources

  1. Manual for Drought Management 2016. Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India.
  2. SDRF/NDRF norms. Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Division.