Not a cloud in sight this Kharif in Anantapur

ANANTAPUR: Farmers in the district are worried about the Kharif crop this year, as there has been no rains till now despite the season nearing its end.As Anantapur did not receive rains in June this year, the sowing of groundnut (which is the main crop), was taken up only in 80000 hectares as against 1.76 lakh hectares last year. Last year, it rained in the last week of June and in July which saw an increase in the area of cultivation.The normal crop area is 8.5 lakh hectares.Crops have failed in the past three years either due to continuous dry spell or because of heavy rains. The Jal cyclone last year damaged the crops ready for harvest.The compensation for the crop damage was not paid to the farmers forcing them to borrow from private money lenders.Following the Met officials’ prediction of good rains this year, farmers prepared the fields and procured seeds provided by the government on subsidy rate, in a hope of good harvest. Some farmers even bought seeds from outside as they found the government seeds inferior.If the district does not receive rains within the next 10 days, there is no hope for crops.Scientists opined that the yield will be less, if the sowing takes place after July 15. ANANTAPUR: Farmers in the district are worried about the Kharif crop this year, as there has been no rains till now despite the season nearing its end.As Anantapur did not receive rains in June this year, the sowing of groundnut (which is the main crop), was taken up only in 80000 hectares as against 1.76 lakh hectares last year. Last year, it rained in the last week of June and in July which saw an increase in the area of cultivation.The normal crop area is 8.5 lakh hectares.Crops have failed in the past three years either due to continuous dry spell or because of heavy rains. The Jal cyclone last year damaged the crops ready for harvest.The compensation for the crop damage was not paid to the farmers forcing them to borrow from private money lenders.Following the Met officials’ prediction of good rains this year, farmers prepared the fields and procured seeds provided by the government on subsidy rate, in a hope of good harvest. Some farmers even bought seeds from outside as they found the government seeds inferior.If the district does not receive rains within the next 10 days, there is no hope for crops.Scientists opined that the yield will be less, if the sowing takes place after July 15.