OFFERING HOPE: Eluru MP Kavuri Sambhasiva Rao receiving feedback on damage of paddy in the recent rains from farmers at Naidugudem in Pedapadu mandal of West Godavari district.

ELURU: The untimely rain played havoc with the paddy farmers in West Godavari district. The extent of damage under the ayacut of Krishna Canal falling under Eluru, Pedapadu and Denduluru mandals appears to be more severe. Incidentally, paddy is raised in these areas in the current rabi after four successive crop seasons due to a variety of problems, including lack of water and recurrent drought conditions.

Fifty per cent of the crop was harvested a few days ago and the sheaves in the fields were submerged in the rainwater. As a result, discolouring and sprouting of grains took place. Grain shedding was also reported in these areas. The incidence of discolouring and sprouting means no takers for the produce.

Bumper crop

"We expected a bumper crop. When we were about to reap it, the rain hit us below the belt," Tikkala Manikyam, a tenant farmer from Chataparru told the visiting Congress MP Kavuri Sambhasiva Rao.

Manikyam raised paddy on 2.5 acres on lease for which he is supposed to give the landowner 10 bags of paddy per acre as lease. "I expected a record yield of 40-45 bags per acre. With this, I was quite confident of clearing my debts. But all my hopes were shattered," he bemoans.

The MP told the farmers he would ensure that the Food Corporation of India would open more number of paddy purchase centres and procure the produce at the minimum support price of Rs. 425 per 75kg bag.

Complaints

The MP was also confronted with complaints of officials forcing the farmers to pay land cess for the current rabi crop. A group of farmers told Mr. Rao at Pedapadu that the personnel posted at the check posts were insisting that their tractors carrying produce be allowed only on production of receipts pertaining to payment of land cess. The farmers sought more time for payment of cess keeping in mind the crop damage due to the rains.

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