Vijayawada: State govt has ramped up its efforts to protect farmers and crops amid the formation of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. Following the directions of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, officials expedited Kharif harvest activities and implemented safeguards to protect harvested crops from potential rain damage.
The recurring low-pressure formations over the Bay of Bengal have left farmers struggling, with heavy rains causing extensive crop damage earlier this year. Aug and Sept saw significant losses due to heavy rainfall during the low-pressure periods, while Cyclone Fengal in Nov damaged crops in Chittoor and Nellore districts of Rayalaseema.
Now, with the formation of a new low-pressure system, fear had gripped farmers once again. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is yet to confirm whether the system will strengthen or not, and if so, where it might make landfall. However, it has warned of possible rains in Rayalaseema for the next few days.
In response, CM Naidu held a review meeting to assess the potential impact. He instructed agriculture department officials to ensure smooth Kharif harvesting and provide farmers with essential resources such as tarpaulins and rails to safeguard crops. Additionally, farmers have been advised to avoid harvesting during rainfall.
District collectors across the state have been mobilised to oversee field-level preparations. Coastal districts from Srikakulam to Nellore are on high alert, with measures in place to swiftly collect harvested grain at procurement centres.
In Rayalaseema, where rainfall is expected, special harvesting teams have been deployed to speed up the process. Agriculture department director S Dilli Rao has conducted district-wise reviews of paddy harvesting and assured farmers of adequate tarpaulin supplies to protect grains from wet weather.
The recurring low-pressure formations over the Bay of Bengal have left farmers struggling, with heavy rains causing extensive crop damage earlier this year. Aug and Sept saw significant losses due to heavy rainfall during the low-pressure periods, while Cyclone Fengal in Nov damaged crops in Chittoor and Nellore districts of Rayalaseema.
Now, with the formation of a new low-pressure system, fear had gripped farmers once again. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is yet to confirm whether the system will strengthen or not, and if so, where it might make landfall. However, it has warned of possible rains in Rayalaseema for the next few days.
In response, CM Naidu held a review meeting to assess the potential impact. He instructed agriculture department officials to ensure smooth Kharif harvesting and provide farmers with essential resources such as tarpaulins and rails to safeguard crops. Additionally, farmers have been advised to avoid harvesting during rainfall.
District collectors across the state have been mobilised to oversee field-level preparations. Coastal districts from Srikakulam to Nellore are on high alert, with measures in place to swiftly collect harvested grain at procurement centres.
In Rayalaseema, where rainfall is expected, special harvesting teams have been deployed to speed up the process. Agriculture department director S Dilli Rao has conducted district-wise reviews of paddy harvesting and assured farmers of adequate tarpaulin supplies to protect grains from wet weather.
