Rains leave chilli farmers in deep waters

Khammam: Hundreds of acres of chili crops were damaged across the district due to unseasonal rains that lashed on Sunday morning.

The morning showers dealt a major blow to chilli farmers, drenching their harvested produce mostly lying in open fields and leaving them distraught.

While some farmers had not harvested the crop, others had kept the produce in the open without cover On Sunday early morning it started raining and produce got damaged as farmers had not time to cover them. With the sudden development the farmers are in shock and distress.

According to sources, crop got damaged in Kusumanchi, Nelakondapalli, Tirumalayapalem, Khammam rural and Mudigonda mandals in Khammam district. K Srinivas Rao, a farmer in Mudigonda mandal said ''we were in deep sleep and our chilly crop was kept in open places for drying suddenly rain begun and produce got drenched and we tried to cover the fruits with available covers but in vain.''

Another farmer, G Venkateswra Rao, from Nelakondapalli mandal said tarpaulins were not available to cover the produce which were lying in open places for drying.

That's why entire crop got damaged. He also said,'' we expected to overcome from debts this year, but the sudden rain dashed hopes.'' In fact government is supposed to supply covers but failed.

Meanwhile the Palair MLA Kandala Upender Reddy visited the affected places and consoled farmers. He asked the Agriculture department officials to estimate the losses and submit a report to the government. He also assured the farmers of help from the government.