Scanty rainfall hits kharif works in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Scanty and deficit rainfall affected the kharif operations in Srikakulam particularly the paddy cultivation. Admitting the deficit rainfall in the district, Joint Director for Agriculture P Ganga Veera Prasad told The Hans India on Friday, due to deficit rainfall kharif works started more than one month behind the schedule and farmers also resorted to direct sowing method for paddy cultivation.

He said normally, the kharif crops cultivation is taken up in 2,38,640 hectares of it, paddy crop is cultivated in 2,06,601 hectares and other crops like groundnut and maize is cultivated in an extent of 32,039 hectares.

Out of 2,06,601 hectares, paddy cultivation is taken up in an extent of 1,75,470 hectares till August 22. Out of 1,75,470 hectares, direct sowing of paddy is taken up in an extent of 1,02,974 hectares and replantation is taken up in 72,496 hectares.

Due to scanty rainfall this year, only 80 per cent of area cultivated out of the total normal area and that too kharif operations delayed for more than a month. As sufficient water not available for kharif crops due to deficit rainfall, farmers are resorting to direct sowing method for cultivation of paddy crop during current season.

Till August 23, out of total 38 mandals in the district, 20 mandals received deficit rainfall, 17 mandals experienced normal rainfall and one mandal Itchapuram received excess rainfall. From June 1 to August 23, normal rainfall in the district is 17,541.9 mm but actual rainfall is 14,261.4 mm which is 19 per cent less than normal.