KURNOOL: With the heavy rainfall after a prolonged dry spell and overflowing canals and rivers, farmers swung into action for paddy transplantation work in Kurnool district.

However, serious shortage of paddy saplings prevailed in the market as farmers could not raise nursery beds on their own because of delayed reopening of canals.

However, those who had irrigation facility under borewells and wells raised the beds for themselves and others.

Saplings

The saplings required for one-acre plot cost Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. Since most of the farmers go for the long-duration Kurnool Sona rice variety, it has to be transplanted in August and September.

Meanwhile, crops like groundnut and maize revived after the rainfall but some like sunflower withered.

Meanwhile, farmers are busy planning alternative crops like sunflower and Bengalgram.

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