The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : High and low of paddy yield

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

High and low of paddy yield

S. Harpal Singh

Kharif is marked by dichotomy of yields in Adilabad district

See-saw fortunes: Paddy being stacked after harvesting in a field near Dandepalli in Adilabad district

ADILABAD: Paddy cultivation this kharif season is marked by dichotomy of yields in Adilabad district because of deficit rainfall.

Bumper crops are being harvested now from the early transplanted paddy under wells while the late transplanted crop under irrigation is likely to give only half the yield of the former.

Due to delayed monsoon, the area under paddy cultivation had gone down to 30,000 hectares from a normal of over 46,000 hectares. Half of this area under wells that was transplanted as early as July and August is yielding about 50 quintals per hectare as against a normal average of 30 to 35 quintals per hectare.

The other half, transplanted as late as September due to late release of water from projects will give lesser by half yields according to officials from Agriculture department.

Active period

There were 45 rainy days during the active period of South West monsoon, this year.

However, actual rainfall received was 813 mm that was deficit by about 170 mm that the average normal for SW monsoon.

“Extra number of rainy days spelt good fortune for rain fed crops like cotton. However, as projects remained unfilled during the season water was released into canals late.

This resulted in delay in transplantation in about half the area under paddy cultivation”, explained C. Narsingu, agriculture officer.

The prevailing cold conditions are also likely to impact the yields of the lately transplanted crop.

“The panicle will not be exposed which will have an adverse effect on the plant”, Mr. Narsingu pointed out.

The cost of cultivation had remained the same for both the early and late transplanted paddy at an estimated Rs. 20,000 per hectare.

This can mean better earning for the farmers who cultivated under irrigation wells and vice versa.

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