Andhra Pradesh - Guntur   

Sowing operations gain momentum

GUNTUR: Thanks to the copious rainfall in most parts of the district, agricultural operations have picked up momentum. Sowing operations of paddy, cotton, chilli and pulses have taken off much to the relief of farmers reeling under a prolonged dry spell.

The quantum of rainfall is not adequate to fill up the reservoirs, but is enough to wet the land and enable the farmers to start tilling operations.

According to the weekly report on crop condition and weekly season submitted to the Commissioner and Director of Agriculture, the agricultural officials here said that out of a normal area in kharif extending to 5.78 lakh hectares, 1.24 lakh hectares was covered by now as against 1.64 lakh hectares covered during the corresponding period in 2007.

The rainfall recorded till date was 160.7 mm, which was a little higher than 142 mm for the last season and the number of rainy days in July were 17 when compared to 13 in 2007. While the water into KWD was released on July 9 and into Guntur Channel on July 13, sowing operations hit a roadblock due to paucity of rains.

“We are cautioning farmers to use treated seed as they are found to be pest-resistant. Regarding reports of shortage of fertilizers, we are taking all measures, including pre-notifying the stock position, to streamline the supply,” Agricultural Department Joint Director K. Rajaiah told The Hindu.

Sowing operations in Krishna Western Delta gained momentum after the dry spell ended last week. Transplantation of paddy was going on in about 6,000 hectares out of the normal area of 2.54 lakh hectares, while cotton was reportedly sown in one lakh hectares as against the normal area of 1.50 lakh hectares.

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