Representational Image— DC File

KARIMNAGAR: Rainfall in the last two days brightened the faces of farmers waiting eagerly for this since the standing crops have started withering due to lack of water.

Though there was no major change in rainfall deficit, almost all areas of the erstwhile Karimnagar district are experiencing drizzle since Friday.

In the wake of the El Nino effect, farmers, especially paddy growers, were in a dilemma over the cultivation in the beginning of this monsoon season.

Paddy plantation was taken up in a big way following the heavy rain which continued in the last week of July. Despite the state government’s warning against cultivation of paddy, almost all traditional paddy growers sowed the crop.

As a result, the plantation was done in 9.12 lakh acres as against different crops sown in 11.73 lakh acres in old Karimnagar. While cotton was raised in 1.66 lakh acres, maize was in 49,714 acres.

In view of deficit rainfall, the ground water table has also not recharged. Water fell to 8.05 metre depth in Sircilla followed by Karimnagar 6.04, Peddapalli 4.61 and Jagtial 4.47 meter.

Farmers, who sowed crops anticipating rains, are facing troubles due to the dry scenario. Others, who cultivated crop depending on agricultural wells and borewells, are unable to supply water to the entire crop due to lack of ground water.

As a result, paddy started withering in some areas while the growth to cotton has been minimal.

Cotton is facing trouble right from the plantation level. Though it was sown in the beginning of the Kharif season, germination was delayed due to lack of rain; and the situation continued following the dry spell.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a farmer from Gopalpur Manda Rajamallaiah said that the rain gave a great relief to paddy as well as other crops.

The present rainfall would also help recharge the groundwater table and enhance water springs in agricultural wells. So, farmers could protect the crop by drawing water from wells or borewells, he said.


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