Anantapur: Groundnut farmers hit by short supply of seeds

Anantapur: Groundnut farmers are unable to get adequate quantities of seeds as the state government has failed to procure the seeds in sufficient quantities, farmers allege. The government is giving three bags of groundnut seeds to every Pattadar passbook holder. Each bag weighs 30 kg and three bags weigh 90 kgs. For one acre of land 75 kgs of seed is needed, which means the government supply of 90 kgs is enough for one and quarter acre. A farmer with 3 acres or five acres, has to purchase seed from other sources.

The district farmers require 3.34 lakh quintals of ground nut, but the government has procured only 1.25 lakh quintals and AP Seeds has to supply remaining 2.20 quintals. Dr M Suresh Babu, state president of Praja Science Vedika interacting with 'The Hans India' says kharif is the main crop season for AP. Government has not taken adequate measures to procure seeds. There is acute shortage of seeds. District farmers incurred Rs.1500 crore losses in rabi season due to reduce in yield and poor transportation facilities.

So far, the government has not cleared bills for the crops procured. Paddy, groundnut, jowar and cotton are the main crops. The government failed to procure groundnut from the farmers in adequate quantities. Though the minimum support price is reasonably good, the farmers are selling the crop to private agencies, as the private brokers give instant cash.

The farmer receive money in three instalments if he sells to government Seed Corporation. With the lockdown, consumption of maize and jowar has come to a grinding halt. Farmers in the district are in a grim situation with no money in hand and banks are refusing to give fresh loans.

They may face problems for cultivation in the kharif season which begins in June. The banks refuse to give fresh loans because the government failed to release funds towards the waiver of farm loans. The farmers depend on private money-lenders for cultivation.