Groundnut Cultivation Declines in Anantapur

As per data, groundnut is usually cultivated over 11 lakh hectares in Rayalaseema, 6 lakh hectares in Anantapur district alone. Owing to climate changes, rainfall deficit and poor quality of seeds, groundnut production has been falling.

Sources say not even 3 lakh hectares have been sown during the present Kharif season in Rayalaseema because of fluctuation in rainfall. Middle and small farmers are reluctant in sowing the crop as they fear getting a good return on their investment. Even big farmers, particularly from Rolla in Satya Sai district, have reduced the extent of their crop, as their returns from the ground crop have been minimal.

Anantapur groundnut has a huge demand in Maharashtra and Gujarat. This is because of the rich soil in the area. The groundnut had nutritional value similar to cashew, but is priced much lower.

A senior agriculture official from the region said cultivation of groundnut is falling as the existing varieties of groundnut seeds available in the area are unable to adapt themselves to the climatic conditions in the Rayalaseema region, leading to farmers suffering losses.

Normally, groundnut crop needs less rainfall. But the rain has to be timely during the peak stages of sowing, flowering and harvesting. However, rains have not been regular due to climatic changes.

Wary of the failing seed varieties produced in Rayalaseema, the Agriculture department and other agencies in the region are depending on Telangana and nearby Karnataka for purchase of groundnut seeds that would survive the climate changes during this Kharif season.