The prolonged dry spell in June seriously affected the sowing operations in Kurnool district. As against the normal rainfall of 77.1 mm, the district recorded 66.5 mm accounting for 14 per cent deviation.
However, the shortfall had large impact on the sowing operations. As against the last year’s coverage of 1,07,279 hectares during the corresponding period, around 73,965 hectare was covered this year. Cotton, redgram and onion was sown in the more or less the same area while groundnut was the biggest loser.
Groundnut was sown in 7,478 hectare as against 39,249 hectare during the corresponding period last year.
Cotton which is cultivated under irrigated conditions was sown on 42,946 hectare as against 34,711 hectare last year.
Joint Director of Agriculture Tagore Naik told The Hindu that cotton crop was going to witness steep rise this season. According to him, it may touch 2.5 lakh hectare. The stable prices, less incidence of pest on account of introduction of genetically modified (GM) varieties and resistance to moisture stress were the factors that encouraged farmers.
Other crops likely to be supported by majority of farmers are maize and castor. Maize may cross 30,000 hectare this year on account of good demand in the market. The demand for the corn increased with several distilleries coming up in the area which used the grain as main feed stock.
Groundnut is likely to lose its ground in the district. The area under the oil crop was falling year after year due to poor yields and unstable prices.
Onion which is grown as main cash crop caught the fancy of farmers this year due to soaring prices last year.
