Gales destroy mango orchards in Kadapa

Rayachoti (Kadapa): The farmers in Rayachoti, Lakkireddy Palle in Kadapa district, who are cultivating the mango orchards, were left in the lurch. Earlier, they used to cultivate rain fed crops like groundnut and sun flower, but due to scanty rainfall, they reportedly opted for mango orchards by digging borewells.

However, their hopes were dashed when the gales followed by rains destroyed their mango orchards, which were ready for yield. It is learnt that the farmers took loans and dug up borewells to cultivate mango orchards. The heavy gales on Monday destroyed the mango crop in 1,000 acres in Ramapuram, Veeraballe, Sundupally mandals.

Farmers Sudhamohan Reddy and Rami Reddy appealed to the government to come to their rescue as they incurred heavy losses. "We are in a dilemma on how to repay the loans as not only the mango orchards, but also the banana plantations, electric poles and sheds were destroyed," they said.