Rajahmundry: Following the incessant rains lashing several parts of Godavari districts over the last few days, farmers there are a worried lot fearing that their paddy and other crops could be adversely affected mainly due to inundation of fields.
Farmers have been growing paddy in about 4.8 lakh hectares in the two districts for kharif season. A section of the farmers had opted for early sowings and have started harvesting the crop. A majority of the farmers, hoever, would be harvesting the crop in a week’s time since they started sowing a little late.
The crop is advancing from tillering stage to panicle initiation stage at present. If the rainfall continues for some more days, it may result in overflowing of canals, drains, tanks and other water bodies. This water is bound to inundate the fields resulting in harming the plants. It is likely to cause damage to the entire crop due to soaking of the plant for a long time.
In East Godavari, agriculture authorities have identified vulnerable mandals like Amalapuram, Mummidivaram, Razole, P. Gannavaram and others where paddy crop may suffer damage or loss due to inundation of fields in case the rains continue for some more days. According to agriculture authorities, if there is a moderate rainfall, it will be beneficial to farmers who have raised paddy in upland and agency areas as they had taken up late sowings or transplantation of paddy. They, however, believe that with the drainage network being in a relatively good position in parts of the district, the flood water may be drained out soon without inundating the paddy fields and other crops.
East Godavari agriculture deputy director S. Madhava Rao said, “So far we have not received any reports of inundation of paddy fields due to rainfall from any part of the district.
The next 48 hours, however, are very crucial to decide whether the paddy can survive the situation or would suffer damage or loss depending upon the intensity of the rainfall.”
In West Godavari, paddy is being raised in about 2.23 lakh hectares. Some farmers have started harvesting the crop like at Tadepalligudem area as they went for early sowing.
Here also, however, a large number of farmers would be harvesting the crop in the second week of October.
As the paddy crop is in various stages like flowering, tillering and panicle initiation stage, the agriculture authorities say that if the sky remains cloudy for a long time and there is moderate rainfall, there may not be any impact on the crop and caution that if the day temperature fluctuates rapidly, the crop may suffer damage.
West Godavari agriculture joint director Dr Gausia Begum said, “Some villages in Narasapuram mandal are vulnerable for inundation in case of heavy rainfall. The paddy being raised there may suffer damage.
Moreover, so far no reports of inundation of fields and crop damage has been reported.”
Water Water everywhere
In East Godavari, authorities are expecting to harvest 12.4 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the kharif season against last year’s production of 11.5 lakh metric tonnes. About 34 bags per acre are expected against the district average yield of 29 bags per acre.
In West Godavari, paddy yield to the tune of 12.48 lakh metric tonnes is expected against last year’s 12 lakh metric tonnes. Average yield is pegged at 28-30 bags per acre against the maximum of 30 to 33 bags per acre this season.
735.7 mm: Rainfall in East Godavari against a normal of 805.3 mm with a deviation of -8.6 per cent.
In West Godavari, paddy yield to the tune of 12.48 lakh metric tonnes is expected against last year’s 12 lakh metric tonnes. Average yield is pegged at 28-30 bags per acre against the maximum of 30 to 33 bags per acre this season.
