SANGAREDDY: Crops like cotton, paddy and others are drying due to lack of rains for the last one month in the united Medak district. The situation in the district, except in Narayankhed, is miserable.
Farmers started cultivating after rains in June first week and cultivation took place in larger area compared to last year. Paddy cultivated in the united Medak district is almost dry, except the ones cultivated in Singur, Nallawagu and Ghanapur ayacut. Crops that depend on rains like cotton, pulses and others are also almost dry. Crops are cultivated in about ten lakh acres in Siddipet, Sangareddy and Medak districts and except four lakh acres, the condition of the remaining crops is worrisome.
Less than normal rains were reported in many areas in June and July. Officials said that normal rains were reported only in Narayankhed mandal. Deficit rains were reported in Jinnaram, Gummadidala, Hathnoora, Kondapur, Sadasivpet, Vatpally, Munipally and Jharasangam mandals of Sangareddy district. The district has 26 mandals and only Narayankhed reported normal rains. The average rainfall is 372 mm and about 473 mm was reported from June to August 5. Rains in June were hopeful, but there was drought in July and hence, crops are drying.
Jinnaram mandal of Sangareddy district reported least rainfall. Mainly paddy, maize and cotton are produced in the mandal. Agriculture officials said due to lack of rains, crops are drying and there are chances of diseases cropping up. The effect of pests was reported in Utla, Amduru and Solakpet villages. Cotton and maize were cultivated in Kondapur and Sadsivpet mandals, and cotton in Munipally mandal. Officials said that maize is majorly affected due to lack of rain.
Crops cultivated under borewells are quite good, but the farmers who depend on rainfall are worried. Zahirabad area too reported less rains and crops like vegetables and sugarcane are affected badly. Zahirabad farmers cultivate highest sugarcane and if the situation continues for another week, there will be drop in production. Manikaiah, a farmer from Zahirabad said there are no rains for the last one month and maize is getting dry. Sangareddy Agriculture officer S Shailaja said maize and pulses cultivated in the district will get dry if the situation continues for another week.