Venkat Reddy set fire to his 10‑acre paddy field on Thursday in Faridpet village, Kamareddy district, Telangana, after repeated pest attacks and power cuts left him with no other option. The blaze erupted in the early hours, consuming the entire crop that he had cultivated for the season.
Reddy had sprayed pesticides three to four times, but the infestation persisted. He blamed irregular electricity supply for the crop's vulnerability.
He said, "Because of the power shortage, weeds and pests increased… I sprayed pesticides three to four times, yet the problem did not subside." Neighbors urged him to stop, but Reddy considered drastic action before the men intervened.
CM Revanth Reddy has directed the Energy Department to guarantee uninterrupted power for the next 20 days, warning that the next 20 days will be crucial for standing crops amid deficient rainfall. He also ordered contingency plans for El Niño, water and fodder supplies, and the deployment of officers to monitor conditions in every mandal.
The incident has spotlighted the plight of Telangana farmers, many of whom face mounting input costs and inadequate infrastructure.
Farmers are demanding timely assistance from the government to mitigate losses and secure their livelihoods.