Cyclones affect paddy productivity in Srikakulam

• Even latest methods not yielding good results

Srikakulam: Two cyclones Titli and Pethai are causing to reduce agricultural crops productivity mainly paddy in the district during recent Kharif season. Basing on the agricultural income gross value addition (GVA) is being calculated and it is useful in calculating per capita income (PCI) of the people of the district as agricultural income is the only major source for its calculation. State average PCI is Rs 1.89 lakh but in Srikakulam it is Rs 99,000 which is half when compare with state. The reason for less PCI is reduction of agricultural productivity in the district due to cyclones.

In 2017 kharif paddy productivity for per acres was recorded as 27 bags due to providing timely inputs, soil fertility tests and right suggestions to farmers, crop loan facility and other measures. Basing on it GVA was estimated as Rs 1644 crore during 2017-18 and kharif GVA was Rs 1235 crore and rabi GVA was Rs 409 crore and it was achieved. By considering these figures GVA was estimated as Rs 2,346 crore in 2018-19 financial year and kharif GVA is Rs 1352 crore and rabi GVA is Rs 999 crore. The estimated GVA in 2018-19 is 45 percent more than the GVA achieved in 2017-18 financial year.

But Titli and Pethai cyclones are causing huge damage to crops mainly paddy in the district. Out of total 38 mandals paddy crop badly damaged in 27 mandals in the district due to Titli and ten mandals due to Pethai cyclones. As a result paddy productivity was reduced to 19 bags (80KGs weight) for per acre land and earlier it was 27 bags for per acre. This year rabi also not favourable to farmers as insects attacked on crops like maize and etc which will reduce productivity considerably.

‘Due to Titli and Pethai cyclones paddy crop was damaged more than other crops which is prime crop and major source of income of the district’ joint director for agriculture (JD-A) PDV RatnaKumar explained.