TIRUPATI:While it has been raining heavily in some parts of the state, uneven rainfall in Chittoor district has left the farmers in deep distress. With more than half of the district receiving inadequate rainfall so far this month, farmers are apprehensive about timely sowing of the kharif crops.
According to the district authorities, about 18 of 31 mandals in the tail-end district are reeling under deficient rainfall, while one is facing a severe rain shortfall since July 1. Only nine mandals received normal rainfall. Excess rainfall was recorded in four mandals.
So far this month, the district has recorded actual rainfall of 30.5mm as against the normal rainfall of 103.5mm, registering a -70.5 per cent deviation from the normal.
With rainfall deficiency, many farmers are facing difficulty in cultivation of kharif crops, especially the groundnut, the main crop of the season in Chittoor district. According to the agriculture department, as on July 13, 2022, the total Kharif crops sown was on 28,641 hectare as against 62,441 hectare during the corresponding period last year.
The season’s normal sowing area coverage is at 89,448 hectares.
Chiranjeevulu, a farmer from Gudipala mandal, has still not sown his groundnut crop on his 1.25-hectare land as he anticipates drought-like conditions for more time. “We haven’t seen enough rain in July. And from what we hear of the forecasts, it won’t be raining much this time for the rest of the monsoon too,” he said dejectedly.
More than 50 per cent of farmers in Gudipala grow groundnuts and most of them are waiting for good rains.
According to the farmers, the window for sowing the kharif crop is closing. It usually is 120-130 days. If it doesn’t rain in the next 10 days, they won’t be able to plant it for the entire season. Else, the sowing will be affected.
However, officials in the agriculture department said that the uneven monsoon may have affected the sowing of Kharif crops, but it is too early to panic or worry.
“Uneven monsoon may cause a delay in sowing of kharif crops, but it has not failed yet. It may be erratic in some places but that can be managed as we still have time for sowing. The department has initiated measures to educate farmers on uneven monsoon and its effects and we will help them in sowing”, a senior official from the department said.
