The Hindu Business Line : AP allows more acreage for rabi paddy cultivation

THE irrigation authorities have given permission to farmers to raise paddy on one million acres in the Godavari delta for the rabi season after assessing the water availability in the river. It has brought cheer to the farming community in the delta and it also augurs well for the Telugu Desam party in the ensuing Assembly elections.

Last rabi season, citing paucity of rainfall in the catchment area due to the drought conditions, the irrigation authorities allowed cultivation only in five lakh acres in the two districts of East Godavari and West Godavari. This season, paddy is being raised on 4.85 lakh acres in East Godavari and 5.15 lakh acres in West Godavari.

In the Krishna delta, no rabi crop is allowed, as there is hardly any water left in the reservoirs (Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar) due to poor inflows and farmers could raise paddy in the kharif season only on 9 lakh acres against the usual 13 lakh acres in four districts. However, heavy rains in October saved the crop from withering away and the authorities, and farmers, are now confident of saving the standing crop. With a good kharif crop hitting the market, the challenge ahead for the Government lies in ensuring at least the minimum support price (MSP) for the paddy. Millers, who had stopped purchase of paddy citing piled-up stocks in the mills and demanding hike in levy from 50 per cent to 75 per cent to liquidate the stocks, have been persuaded by the Government to resume paddy purchase. The Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, promised paddy farmers in the Godavari during his visit this week that he would take up the issue with the Centre and ensure the MSP for the crop.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Rajnath for rate cut on coop farm loans

Nabard reduces refinance rates

AP allows more acreage for rabi paddy cultivation

Rubber rises on moderate purchases

Water released from Vaigai dam

Correction

Edible oil imports top a record 51 lakh t — Highest after shipments have come under OGL

JRG Securities to launch vanilla insurance policy

Spices Board to test chillies export for aflatoxin level

Coconut, spices meet to draft action plan