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Paddy cultivation declines in Kurnool
Paddy cultivation in the district is likely to decline this year compared to earlier years. Not even 10 per cent of the proposed extent of land was irrigated despite a month passed. The farmers are in great distress due to not releasing of water to Kurnool-Cuddapah (KC) Canal till date.
Kurnool: Paddy cultivation in the district is likely to decline this year compared to earlier years. Not even 10 per cent of the proposed extent of land was irrigated despite a month passed. The farmers are in great distress due to not releasing of water to Kurnool-Cuddapah (KC) Canal till date.
Highlights:
- Inadequate water storage at Sunkesula barrage and deficit rainfall affecting the cultivation
- Farmers dependent on KC Canal are in dilemma over the release of water and opting for alternative crops
The decline in paddy cultivation has been attributed to inadequate water storage at Sunkesula barrage and deficit rainfall. The farmers are showing more inclination to raise alternative crops instead of traditional paddy crop. Kurnool has 6.5 lakh hectares of cultivable land of which paddy is used to rise in 76,474 lakh hectares.
And 78,495 lakh hectares of land is cultivated under the waters of Kurnool-Cuddapah (KC) Canal alone. So far only 10 per cent of 76,474 lakh hectares that is 7,568 lakh hectares irrigated for paddy. The other farmers dependent on KC Canal are in dilemma over the release of water and considering harvesting alternative crops as the time of sowing is running out of hand.
Some farmers totally losing hopes on KC waters and abandoned paddy cultivation. However, they raised green chili, cotton, jowar and other sorts of alternative crops. Some other farmers are now making their lands ready for raising paddy seedlings hoping water would be released to KC canal.
A farmer of G Singavaram village, Kasapogu Prakash told The Hans India farmers have given up the hopes of raising paddy this year. “More water is needed for cultivating the crop. A month of rainy season has passed away even then there is no water at Sunkesula barrage and we are dependent on KC Canal waters. Several farmers in the village have sown alternative crops like, cotton, green chilies, Jowar and vegetables,” he said.
He further said,“Sona Masuri,” the famous brand of rice, is likely to vanish from the district in a year or two if this kind of situation prevails further. This year paddy is being cultivated in very less extent of land. If the production declines, naturally the prices will be increased, he added. A source from Irrigation department disclosed that releasing of waters to Kurnool-Cuddapah canal is very difficult.
Hardly we are meeting day-to-day drinking water needs of Kurnool town people. To meet the drinking water needs 80 cusecs is being used every day, stated the source. The source also said that there is an allocation of 2.73 tmc ft of water to Kurnool from Tungabhadra Dam.
If the water is released from TB dam then 1 tmc ft could be utilised for drinking and irrigation purpose. Out of 2.73 tmc ft allocated water, we must meet Anantapur district water needs also. If it is done, then dire scarcity of water is likely to emerge in the district, revealed the source.
