Rajahmundry: As the expected severe cyclonic storm Lehar turned weak and made a landfall near Machilipatnam without causing much destruction except for incessant rainfall, farmers are planning to take up cultivation of paddy through direct sowing of specific varieties of seeds to go for early harvest during ensuing rabi season in Godavari districts.
Farmers suffered crop damage or loss during cyclonic storms Phailin and Helen. They had nothing left to be lost except small quantities of standing crop and sheaves of harvested crop had the current Lehar storm been severe.
As the Godavari districts witnessed heavy rainfall under the influence of the three successive cyclonic storms and ground water tables replenished with plenty of water and the water supply through canals and drains will be ensured to the fields until March 15 for taking up modernisation of Godavari delta, the farmers plan to take up cultivation of paddy for rabi probably from first or second week of December.
Some farmers who suffered complete loss of their crops due to the storms are in fact awaiting the arrival of Lehar to see its impact and take up cultivation of paddy for rabi season.
The authorities are advising the farmers to take up direct sowings instead of going for raising paddy nurseries. In case of direct sowings, the crop can be ready for harvest in about 120 days.
Farmers are being advised to raise MTU 1001 and MTU 1010 varieties of seeds for taking up direct sowings as it helps early harvest and reduces the input costs.
In East Godavari, farmers take up cultivation of paddy in about 1.52 lakh hectares on an average during rabi season. As per tentative plan, water will be supplied through canals for cultivation up to March 15 and later, they will be shut for delta modernisation works during summer.
Agriculture joint director N. Vijay Kumar said, “We are advising the farmers to take up direct sowings of paddy seeds to help them get early harvest for rabi.” In West Godavari, paddy is raised in about two lakh hectares during rabi season.
