VIJAYAWADA: With heavy rains predicted from Friday due to a cyclonic storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal, farmers across Andhra Pradesh are racing against time to complete paddy harvesting.
The Agriculture Department, in coordination with district officials, took proactive measures to expedite the process and minimise potential crop losses.
This year was particularly challenging for farmers, with unseasonal rains disrupting the Kharif crop cycle. In many areas, farmers were forced to replant paddy, causing delays in the harvest season. With crops ready for harvesting and the looming threat of heavy rains, farmers fear significant losses if harvesting is not completed in time.
Agriculture Department Director S Dilli Rao mobilised resources across the state, ensuring the deployment of rice harvesting machines, particularly in the Coastal Andhra districts, to speed up the process. Officials are working to complete the harvesting in storm-affected areas by Friday afternoon.
However, some farmers expressed concerns about the early harvesting affecting grain quality, with higher moisture content making it challenging to dry the paddy. To mitigate losses, farmers are using tarpaulins to protect harvested grain from getting wet in the fields.
Agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, through a teleconference, reviewed the progress and directed officials to ensure no farmer suffers losses due to the storm. Meanwhile, Civil Supplies minister Nadendla Manohar is personally visiting procurement centres to oversee paddy purchases, ensuring swift action and timely payments.
Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore district administrations started call centres to help farmers in harvesting the crop and selling it to the govt.
