Kurnool Sonamasuri Rice Variety on Verge Of Extinction

 The world famous Kurnool Sonamasuri , also called as BPT 5204, is on the verge of extinction.  The rice variety is famous in both Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for decades.  The  variety was also recognised by international organisations.  

Earlier,  it was cultivated in Kurnool  and Kadapa districts under the KC canal in  around 1.70 lakh acres.  Now,  the acerage was reduced to 60,000 acres reducing the output from 2.54 lakh metric tonnes to 1.5 lakh tonnes in the last one decade.

Farmers said that  declined irrigation facility and pest menace was the main reasons for dropping the cultivation of sonamasuri significantly.  Without irrigation water,  it would be impossible to revive the farming of the unique rice variety.