Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Naidu Orders Market Measures to Control Essential Commodity Prices
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wants to stop essential food prices from rising too much.
He told officials to study how much food people need before deciding what farmers should grow.
The government will monitor production, supplies and market prices.
It may buy crops from farmers at guaranteed prices or make buy-back agreements.
Rythu Bazars and ration shops will be used to sell important goods at controlled prices.
Onions, red gram and palm oil are among the products planned for these outlets.
The government also wants to bring 8.61 lakh hectares of unused land under rain-fed farming.
Officials said many horticultural crops could be damaged, so ₹190 crore was set aside for irrigation support.
The state will also promote millets and natural farming and report measures related to El Niño to the Centre.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to contain essential commodity price increases.
Officials were told to forecast demand before planning crop cultivation, production and market management.
Naidu called for minimum support price procurement, buy-back agreements and greater use of Rythu Bazars and ration shops.
The government plans to supply nearly 60 essential commodities through Rythu Bazars and ration shops, including onions, red gram and palm oil.
Naidu announced ₹190 crore for life-saving irrigation after officials reported that 3.61 lakh hectares of horticultural crops were at high risk.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and officials from the agriculture and allied departments.
- What
- Naidu ordered advance crop planning, market intervention, MSP-backed procurement and expanded distribution of essential commodities through public outlets.
- When
- The review was held on Wednesday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- At the Chief Minister's camp office in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- To contain inflation, prevent price spikes and keep essential commodities affordable for the common man.
- Uncultivated land targeted
- 8.61 lakh hectares are to be brought under rain-fed crops.
- Horticultural crops at risk
- Officials reported that 3.61 lakh hectares were at high risk.
- Irrigation allocation
- ₹190 crore was announced for life-saving irrigation.
- Public distribution channels
- Nearly 60 essential commodities are to be supplied through Rythu Bazars and ration shops.
- Planned commodities
- Onion and red gram are to be supplied through these channels, while palm oil is also planned for ration shops.
- Promoted crops
- Millets, ragi, foxtail millet, jowar, bajra, maize and horse gram are to be encouraged.
- Additional measures
- Officials were directed to report monthly to the Centre on steps addressing the impact of El Niño.