Farmers keen on paddy cultivation

Tirupati: The heavy rains that lashed the district especially in Palamaner-Kuppam belt have brought cheers to farmers. Rainwater flowing in Palar river in Kuppam constituency after 15 years. Water reached several tanks and check dams to their full capacity and inflows are still coming.

Koundinya river is in full flow in Palamaner segment. Palar river is receiving huge inflows due to rains and lifting of 16 gates of Bethamangalam reservoir in Karnataka. Many check dams en route Palar were filled with water. Around 35 check dams close to Palar river are filled with water and they are spread over three mandals of Kuppam constituency. The check dams will provide water to 5,000 acres for irrigation purpose.

Officials were saying that 11 tmcft of water has reached reservoirs and tanks in the district. Another 50-60 tmcft of water sinked in the ground will help the groundwater level improve significantly. Groundwater have reached at a level of 15 meters now as against 23 meters last month, it was learnt. All the bore-wells were recharged and several open wells were also filled with water.

Narayana, a resident of Kuppam, said that for another year or so there would be no problem for drinking water. It may be recalled that drinking water was supplied to almost 300 villages out of 550 villages in 4 mandals in the last summer. In Palamaner, 13 check dams near Koundinya river were filled with water and water level in Koundinya reservoir is at 15 feet.

The reservoir is receiving heavy inflows from upper streams in Karnataka and the water in the reservoir reached full storage capacity. If water enters further into the reservoir, it has to be left out into Tamil Nadu through Mordana check dam. The farmers were in jubilant mood by seeing the tanks and check dams are filled with after a decade. They are seeing good prospects during Rabi this time.

Normally, they go for dry crops as there was no water all these years. But this time, they were planning to cultivate paddy. From Pedda Panjani to Kaluvapalle check dam in Palamaner division, officials say at least 50,000 acres from the total of 1 lakh acres can be irrigated which were dry lands all these years.

Earlier, farmers used to cultivate groundnut in these lands. Now, the farmers are eagerly waiting to raise paddy or Ragi. The water will be sufficient for Rabi and Kharif, farmers felt. A farmer Mani said that he can cultivate paddy this year after so many years. All the people are waiting for these type of rains for several years, he averred. Speaking to The Hans India, Joint Director of Agriculture N Vijaya Kumar said that normal cultivation area in the district is 64,000 hectares.

With the availability of water, the JDA stated that it may go up to 85,000 hectares. The farmers may prefer paddy mostly under these conditions. If they go for drum seeding or direct seeding they can save 40 per cent of water. The Agriculture department is planning to encourage farmers to sow green manure in mango fields. Total groundnut area under normal conditions was around 12,000 hectares.

Now, it may be increased to 22,000 hectares, said Vijaya Kumar. The department has planned a campaign from October 21 to 31 in the district to sensitise farmers. The prospects of sowing dry crops instead of paddy will also be discussed during this campaign.

Normal area of paddy cultivation was 34,000 hectares which may go up to 60,000 hectares, the official said and added that there is no shortage of seeds and fertilisers. The positive situation may result in the gross value addition which is expected to grow up to Rs 1,125 crore from Rs 850 crore in the Kharif. Similarly, next Rabi will also give fruitful results, the JDA said.

By V Pradeep Kumar