Farmer in Andhra Pradesh gets booked for growing 'ganja' crop to clear debts

A farmer from Prakasam district, Keshanapalli Brahmaiah, found himself in dire financial straits and decided to grow ganja on his land to clear his mounting debts.

According to SEB officials, the farmer, identified as Keshanapalli Brahmaiah from Gangupalle village in Yerragondapalem mandal of Prakasam district, has about five acres of land where he cultivates various crops throughout the year.

Brahmaiah had resorted to this illegal activity after facing heavy losses due to untimely rains and other factors.


He managed to plant 282 ganja plants, each about 6 feet tall, in his red gram field. However, his actions were reported to the special enforcement bureau (SEB), leading to an inspection of his farm. SEB officials, led by inspector Nageswara Rao, discovered the ganja plants and estimated their value to be around 3 lakh.

The entire crop was uprooted and destroyed, and Brahmaiah was subsequently arrested and produced in court.

(With inputs from TOI)