The Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham has urged the State government to enact a new law to protect tenant farmers and issue recognition cards enabling them to access welfare benefits and agricultural schemes.Addressing an extended meeting of the Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers Association at Dasari Bhavan in Vijayawada on Wednesday, A.P. Rythu Sangham State president G. Eswaraiah accused the government of neglecting tenant farmers despite assurances made during the elections.The meeting, chaired by association president A. Katamaiah, discussed the problems faced by tenant farmers and adopted resolutions seeking immediate government intervention. Mr. Eswaraiah said the coalition government had promised to amend the 2019 Crop Cultivator Rights Card (CCRC) Act and introduce a separate law for tenant farmers, but no steps had been taken even after two years in office.He alleged that loopholes in the existing system were preventing tenant farmers from securing crop loans from banks, forcing them to rely on private lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates. He also criticised the government for excluding tenant farmers from the ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ scheme and demanded that they be brought under its ambit without delay.The association also sought compensation of ₹21,000 per acre for maize farmers who incurred losses after selling their produce below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The leaders demanded that village sabhas be conducted to identify tenant farmers and issue recognition cards without requiring the consent of landowners.Expressing concern over the increasing number of suicides among tenant farmers, the association announced statewide dharnas before Collectorates on June 1 seeking immediate solutions to their problems. Published - May 27, 2026 08:03 pm IST