El Nino Leaves Owners of Nurseries in Rayalaseema Distressed
According to officials, there are around 1,445 such nurseries spread across Kadapa, Kurnool, and Nandyal districts.
Kurnool: The impact of El Nino is being felt acutely across Rayalaseema, with nursery owners and farmers bearing the brunt of a severe rainfall deficit. With virtually no rains recorded in July and only scant showers during the first fortnight of June, both agricultural and horticultural operations have taken a hit.
Though a few farmers had sown cotton and groundnut following early rains in early June, these crops have now withered due to the prolonged dry spells. Similar is the situation of horticulture nurseries that supply seedlings for crops, such as tomato, chilli, and brinjal.
According to officials, there are around 1,445 such nurseries spread across Kadapa, Kurnool, and Nandyal districts. During a normal year, nearly 60 per cent of their seedlings are sold by the end of June. However, this year, even though it is mid-July, nurseries have sold less than 20 per cent of their stock, leaving hundreds of nursery owners in distress.
One of them, S. Narasaiah from Pattikonda in Kurnool district says he is facing a heavy loss this season. “I invested nearly ₹5 lakh in my nursery this year. I have not even recovered even ₹1 lakh so far. In previous years, I used to sell seedlings worth over ₹3 lakh by July,” he pointed out.
Officials confirm that the area under horticulture has declined sharply. Only about 20 per cent of the area has been cultivated compared to last year. Each nursery typically involves an investment of ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh. With over 1,445 nurseries in the region, the total investment is estimated at around ₹70 crore. However, their returns so far have not crossed even ₹15 crore.
C.H. Narayana, a nursery operator from Mydukur constituency in Kadapa district, said, “Even though half of July has ended, there are hardly any buyers. If purchases are delayed further, seedlings will overgrow and become unfit for transplantation,” he explained.
Farmers too are reluctant to take up horticulture crops due to lack of water. “Borewells are drying up and there are no rains. That is why I did not go for chilli cultivation this year,” said M. Shankaraiah, a farmer from Tuggali in Kurnool district. “Last year, I had sown chilli by June 15. But this time I am scared of putting in any money without assured water,” he disclosed.
Nursery owners are staring at losses, with most seedlings remaining unsold and many going to waste.
Experts warn that the continuing El Niño conditions could further aggravate the crisis, affecting not just nursery owners but also farmers.
Nursery Details in Rayalaseema Districts
Particulars Details
Total Nurseries. 1,445
Investment per Nursery. Up to ₹5 lakh
Total Investment (All Nurseries) Up to ₹70 crore
Sales Achieved So Far 20%
Value of Sales ₹15 crore
