Drought forces families to migrate from Alur villages

Alur (Kurnool district): Empty fields, failed crops and vanishing farm jobs are driving families out of villages in Alur Assembly constituency of Kurnool district. With rains eluding the region and agriculture grinding to a halt, farmers and agricultural labourers are leaving their homes and migrating to Karnataka in search of work, with some even taking their school-going children along.

Farmers said crops raised mainly on rain-fed lands had been severely damaged by the prolonged dry spell. The failure of rains has dashed hopes of a decent harvest and deprived agricultural labourers of seasonal employment. With little work available in villages, poor families are struggling to meet basic needs and are forced to look towards neighbouring States for survival.

The crisis has also affected children’s education, as some parents are taking school-going children with them while migrating. Many workers from Alur region are heading to Raichur, where they find agricultural work, particularly in cotton fields.

Migrant worker Ramanjaneyulu from Sulvai Virupapuram said labourers were being paid around Rs 5 per kg of cotton picked, prompting families to travel long distances despite difficult conditions. “If we do not take our children with us, who will feed them? We do not have even an inch of land and we are not receiving old-age pension. How are we supposed to survive? That is why we are migrating to Raichur with our children to earn a livelihood,” Ramanjaneyulu said.

The migration has exposed the severity of the livelihood crisis faced by rain-dependent farming communities. Farmers and labourers said crop losses, inadequate rainfall and absence of local employment were pushing them deeper into distress. They alleged lack of adequate government support and urged authorities to provide immediate assistance, create employment opportunities in the villages and ensure that children from migrant families do not lose their education.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

V Narendra Kumar

V Narendra Kumar[email protected]

Narendra Kumar Varikuntla is a seasoned journalist with 15 years of experience in reporting and news coverage. He holds a Master's degree in English Literature. He is Staff Correspondent for The Hans India based in Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh Before embarking on his career in journalism, he worked with Tata Robins Fraser (TRF) as a Confidential Assistant at the Rourkela Steel Plant, where he served for 10 years. His tenure at TRF enabled him to develop strong administrative, communication, and organisational skills, which have significantly contributed to his success in journalism. He began his journalistic career with Deccan Chronicle, where he gained valuable experience in reporting and news gathering. Since 2015, he has been serving as a Staff Correspondent with The Hans India, covering the erstwhile Kurnool district, including Kurnool and Nandyal. During his journalism career, Narendra Kumar has extensively reported on governance, politics, public affairs, social issues, agriculture, and developmental activities. He is known for his commitment to accurate, balanced, and responsible journalism, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. In addition to his journalistic profession, he is actively engaged in agriculture and personally cultivates 10 acres of farmland. His close association with farming provides him with firsthand insight into rural life and farmers' issues, enriching his reporting on agriculture and rural development.

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