Farmers Advised to Stay Alert as El Nino May Cause Rain Deficit

WARANGAL: Farmers in Mahabubabad district have been advised to take precautionary measures in view of the possible impact of El Nino, which may lead to deficient rainfall. Officials of the Horticulture and Sericulture Department have urged farmers to conserve water and electricity and focus on dryland crops that yield higher returns with less water.

The advisory was issued at an awareness programme organised by the district Horticulture and Sericulture Department at the Etigadda Thanda Farmers’ Platform on the outskirts of Mahabubabad on Tuesday. Department official Jinugu Marianna explained pest control measures and effective management practices for mango orchards.

Mango Orchard Advisory

Officials advised farmers to spray Acephate at 1.5 grams or Imidacloprid at 0.3 ml per litre of water to control honeydew insects found on mango tree bark. If symptoms of the ‘bird’s eye’ disease are noticed, Carbendazim at one gram or Copper Oxychloride at three grams per litre of water should be sprayed.

They further advised farmers to spray Potassium Nitrate (13-0-45) or Mono Potassium Phosphate (00-52-34) at 10 grams per litre of water, depending on the condition of the crop. Irrigation to mango orchards should be stopped until the flowering stage begins.

Alternative Crops for Yasangi

Officials recommended that farmers opt for horticulture and dryland crops instead of paddy during the Yasangi season. They said farmers cultivating vegetables, oil palm, turmeric, mulberry, moringa, fruits and flowers under borewells and open wells in the district were earning up to Rs 1 lakh per acre.

To reduce water consumption, officials suggested adopting modern methods such as drip irrigation, raised bed cultivation and mulching. Farmers were asked to plan their crops from now itself, keeping the possibility of deficient rainfall in mind.

Agriculture Extension Officer Srinivasa Rao, agriculture officers N. Tirupati Reddy and B. Ranji, horticulture officers A.J. Shanti Priyadarshini and M. Sravanti, agriculture extension officers Laya, B. Punnammi, Sarita and B. Balaji, along with several farmers, participated in the programme.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KOTHA RAMESH

[email protected]