Farmers lose crops in 6,000 Ha in East Godavari

Kakinada: Farmers in East Godavari are in distress as floods ravaged the crops twice within a span of 15 days. When the floods hit the district first time, the nurseries transplanted were ravaged. The farmers suffered loss once again when the floods in the river Godavari damaged the crops again after farmers carried out transplantation of nurseries.

According to farmers, agriculture operations were delayed in this khariff season because of drought. The farmers began agriculture operation when the inflows into the river Godavari increased. As they were about complete the transplantation of nurseries, floods hit the crop.

Several villagers had remained marooned in Konaseema and Devipatnam mandals, leading to loss of crops. The farmers made it clear that they suffered greatly and they cannot invest in agriculture. As per the Agriculture Department estimates, crops in nearly 6,000 hectares were damaged due to floods in the district.

Joint Director K S V Prasad said the enumeration of crop loss due to floods in August had been completed and assessment of crop loss due to floods for second time is going on. The crop due to flood in August was damaged in in 2,311 hectares and 3,677 hectares for second time.

The damage to crop was estimated to Rs 3.46 crore in monitory terms. Estimates of crop damage was sent to the government, he said. According to sources, the paddy is cultivated in 2,16,096 hectares in East Godavari and the food led to inundation of majority of the area.

According to an Agriculture officials, water logging could lead to the crops being hit by fungal infection. Officials advised the farmer to use urea and potash in prescribed manner to protect their crops.