The farmers have waited quite a long time this year for copious rainfall since the beginning of kharif in June. However, the district has received near normal rainfall only this month. The district recorded about 768.7 mm rainfall on Monday as against 770.80 mm (i.e., just 2.1 mm less) last year and the normal mark is expected to be crossed in the next five days.
Of the 57 mandals in the district, 11 received excess rainfall, 37 registered normal rainfall and nine mandals recorded deficit rainfall. While Metpally mandal received the highest rainfall (50.6 mm) this season, Karimnagar mandal recorded -22.5 mm deficit rainfall.
The total kharif area has increased this year. Total acerage is 5,16,933 hectares as against the normal acerage of 4,77,453 hectares, which is a good sign compared to last year’s 5,14,715 hectares.
Though paddy acreage stood at 1,48, 518 hectares, it is low compared to last Kharif season (1,82,951 hectares).
On the other hand, cotton is being cultivated in 2,56,449 hectares as against the normal 1,97,543 hectares. The crop is at flowering stage. Further, maize, now in cob formation stage, is being raised in 108.27 per cent of agricultural area, sources said.