Bengal gram ryots in dire straits

Atmakur (Kurnool): Bengal gram farmers in Kurnool district in general and in Atmakur division in particular have sustained losses during Rabi for want of rains. The farmers are doubtful of at least recovering the investments made.

In Atmakur subdivision, farmers raised the bengal gram in 1033 hectares in Atmakur, Velugodu, Kothapalli and Pamulapadu mandals. Compared to earlier, the area under the crop shrunk to 60 per cent.

The crops dried up due to failure of monsoon in October and increasing day temperatures leading to reduction of moisture content in the soil. The crop yield would be around 8 to 10 quintals in an acre.

The commodity commands a price of Rs 10,000 a quintal in the open market. The farmer used to earn on average Rs 50,000. Because of the crop failure, they are doubtful of recovering the investment at least.

The crop withered away in 95,000 hectares, including 700 in the sub-division, in Kurnool district. The loss to the farmers is put at Rs 70 crore. Bengal gram is cultivated in 1,92,744 hectares in Kurnool district; 89,370 hectares in Kadapa and 77,564 hectares in Anantapur district.

The tenant farmers, who have paid lease amount of Rs 10,000 per acre and invested Rs 15,000 to raise the crops are worrying about recovering the investments.

M Sathya Peter