Early rains wreak havoc in paddy fields in West Godavari district

Bhimavaram: A majority of paddy farmers who sowed seeds in West Godavari district are unhappy with adverse weather conditions. Though they started agriculture activity during the first spells of monsoon, they have been facing shortage of seedbeds.

Paddy is being cultivated in about five lakh acres during khariff season in the district. As buying of seedbeds involves more expenditure, many farmers preferred to sow the seeds. This would help them avoid more spending. However, with heavy rains, the danger of the sprouts getting decayed is lurking.

In order to save their crop, they have been pumping out rain water from the fields. Another reason for their concern is early rains. Usually, rains would help the farmer during advanced stages of the crop. During half-way of their khariff cultivation, the rains really help them to expect good harvest.

The stagnation of rain water in the field at tender stage of the crop would spoil the crop. The farmers have to go for seedbeds to avoid delayed harvest of the crop. As of now, the farmers are worried as there was shortage of seedbeds in the district.

At least 80 per cent of farmers had opted to sow seeds this season. They did so as the water was released to canals during right time. They tilled the land and watered the land properly from canals. They were hoping for good seedbeds when weather played havoc.

The impact of gales with heavy rains was high on the farmers belonging to Veeravasaram and Bhimavaram mandals.