Rain brings cheer to farmers in Guntur

Guntur: Farmers started agriculture operations following rain during the last three days in the district. Cotton sowing completed in 15,000 acres in the district so far. Farmers are making arrangements to start planting paddy nurseries. The farmers in the district are cheerful mood. While the district requires 24 mm rainfall by the end June 11, so far district received 49 mm rainfall. Guntur district received 107 percent excess rainfall so far.

According to official sources, farmers cultivate cotton, paddy, mirchi, tobacco, red gram, black gram, maize, horticulture crops in 18 lakh acres in the district. The government has set up Rytu Bharosa Kendras to give necessary suggestions and advises to the farmers.

The government has fixed target of Rs 12,500 crore crop loans during this financial year. Similarly, cooperative banks also sanctioning the loans. The agriculture department is ready to supply seeds and fertilizers to the farmers. Due to failure of district administration some brands of cotton seed are selling in the black market. Chilli sowing area is expected to increase at least one lakh acres due to falling of cotton price during this year. Some of the farmers who suffered losses due to falling of cotton price likely to cultivate chillis during this season.

Farmers cultivate paddy are eagerly waiting for water to start agriculture operations. Turmeric cultivating area is likely to come down during this season.