Vijayawada: After incurring heavy crop losses due to torrential rains during this year’s kharif season, farmers in Krishna delta are now hopeful for a favourable decision on water allocation for the rabi season.
Last years, the farmers were in distress after the declaration of a crop holiday due to water scarcity at Prakasam Barrage.
The Krishna delta, spanning approximately 13.09 lakh acres across Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari, and Prakasam districts, is a major hub for paddy cultivation. In 2023, inadequate rainfall led to significantly low water levels in the barrage, forcing authorities to deny water release for rabi crops. Farmers expressed their concerns over this decision, emphasising the financial losses caused by the crop holiday.
However, there has been a significant improvement in the situation. Continuous heavy rains filled the Prakasam Barrage, while upstream projects such as Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala were also overflowing. Farmers urged authorities to utilise this abundant water supply for rabi irrigation.
“We suffered heavy losses during kharif due to poor yield despite taking loans and working hard. We appeal to the authorities to ensure water for rabi crops,” said Jagarlamudi Subba Rao, a farmer from Nandiwada in Krishna district.
According to agricultural department reports, 25% of farmers in the Krishna delta have already completed harvesting their kharif crops and are preparing for rabi sowing. To support them, 42 paddy procurement centres have been established in the NTR district, and procurement has been expedited.
Additionally, the department of agriculture, through Rythu Bharosa kendras, is providing subsidised seeds for paddy and millet to facilitate rabi cultivation. Farmers are awaiting a decisive response from authorities to ensure a productive season ahead.
Last years, the farmers were in distress after the declaration of a crop holiday due to water scarcity at Prakasam Barrage.
The Krishna delta, spanning approximately 13.09 lakh acres across Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari, and Prakasam districts, is a major hub for paddy cultivation. In 2023, inadequate rainfall led to significantly low water levels in the barrage, forcing authorities to deny water release for rabi crops. Farmers expressed their concerns over this decision, emphasising the financial losses caused by the crop holiday.
However, there has been a significant improvement in the situation. Continuous heavy rains filled the Prakasam Barrage, while upstream projects such as Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala were also overflowing. Farmers urged authorities to utilise this abundant water supply for rabi irrigation.
“We suffered heavy losses during kharif due to poor yield despite taking loans and working hard. We appeal to the authorities to ensure water for rabi crops,” said Jagarlamudi Subba Rao, a farmer from Nandiwada in Krishna district.
According to agricultural department reports, 25% of farmers in the Krishna delta have already completed harvesting their kharif crops and are preparing for rabi sowing. To support them, 42 paddy procurement centres have been established in the NTR district, and procurement has been expedited.
Additionally, the department of agriculture, through Rythu Bharosa kendras, is providing subsidised seeds for paddy and millet to facilitate rabi cultivation. Farmers are awaiting a decisive response from authorities to ensure a productive season ahead.
