Crops wither due to deficit rainfall

Tirupati: Severe drought conditions are prevailing in Chittoor and Kadapa districts with temperatures recording at 36 degree Celsius when the remaining part of the state is witnessing heavy rainfall. Temperature soared to 38 degree Celsius in both districts in the last two days.

The adverse climatic condition in the monsoon season was the reason for the prevailing drought situation in the two districts. Till date, the actual rainfall recorded in Chittoor district was 17.8 mm as against the normal rainfall of 117 mm. Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) here has noted 84 per cent rainfall deviation. Similarly, deficit rainfall was recorded in Kadapa district too.

In severe drought conditions, the farmers raised groundnut crop in 99,982 hectares from the total sowing area of 1,25,634 lakh hectares. Due to insufficient rains, more than 26,000 hectares area was abandoned by the farmers.

As per the Agricultural department, crops raised in 1,49,741 hectares from the total sowing area of 1,91.462 hectares. In Kadapa district, farmers sowed in 7,238 hectares out of 32,803. It is learnt that farmers in both districts would lose their crops due to adverse climatic conditions in the present Kharif season. 

According to RARS scientists, farmers can protect crops from withering if they can provide supplementary irrigation only. The agriculture officials arranging rain guns to farmers as part of supplementary irrigation. But, there are not enough rain gains to supply for all the farmers, especially for rainfed crops in Madanapalle division in Chittoor district, Rayachoti and Rajampet divisions in Kadapa district.

In Chittoor district, officials have provided rain guns to 1,903 hectares. Speaking to The Hans India, RARS agronomist and senior scientist P Prathima said deficit rainfall was recorded in Kadapa and Chittoor districts. Supplementary irrigation alone can save standing crops, she stated.