Godavari Districts Expecting Good Kharif Paddy Harvest Despite El Nino Effect

Despite the El Nino effect and resultant deficit rainfall, farmers of Godavari districts have been able to raise various Kharif crops, mainly paddy, without facing any shortage of water. In fact, farmers are expecting a better yield than the last season. This has happened mainly because water in the Godavari River has been flowing constantly from the commencement of the rainy season.

Following the directives of the state government, Water Resources authorities started releasing Godavari water from May 31 itself through the three major irrigation eastern, central, and western canals for raising crops over 10 lakh acres of the command area. Nearly 92 TMC feet of water has been released into the canals for cultivation of crops from May 31 till date.

In the reorganised West Godavari district, crops, mainly paddy, have been cultivated over 1.15 lakh acres so far. An additional 5,000 acres are likely to come under cultivation in the next few days.

West Godavari joint director (Agriculture) Z. Venkateswara Rao said, “Farmers have not faced any adverse issues of pests and diseases this season. We expect a better yield of 40 bags per acre, each bag weighing 75 kg each, against the 25 bags last October in the wake of the Montha cyclonic storm.”

In the reorganised East Godavari district, paddy and other crops have been raised over 2.32 lakh acres so far. Here, agriculture authorities have advised farmers to go for irrigated dry crops, including black gram, in 4,442 acres of upland areas. Nearly 98 per cent of horticulture crops are being raised with drip irrigation facilities.

East Godavari district agricultural officer B. Venkateswara Rao said, “Farmers have received Godavari water early this season. So far, there have been no issues of any pests or diseases, whether involving paddy or other crops in the district. Crops are healthy and growing well. We expect a better paddy yield.”

However, complaints have been received from farmers in areas like Yelamanchali and Penugonda that they are getting any canal water. They are awaiting rainfall.

Godavari River conservator G. Srinivas said, “As the river is getting good inflow of water from upstream projects due to rainfall in their upper catchment areas, we are having adequate water to release into canals for raising crops in the Godavari delta area. We will continue to meet the requirement of water to raise crops. Presently, we are releasing nearly 14,000 cusecs to 15,000 cusecs of water into the canals, while five lakh cusecs are going into the sea from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage.”