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Climatic vagaries put chilli crops in the red
Chilli crop is getting withered due to deficit rainfall caused by drought in Guntur district. If the same situation continues, the crop will be damaged resulting in the farmers suffering from huge losses.
Guntur: Chilli crop is getting withered due to deficit rainfall caused by drought in Guntur district. If the same situation continues, the crop will be damaged resulting in the farmers suffering from huge losses. According to officials sources, 58% and 92% deficit rainfall was recorded in October and November respectively in Guntur district. Deficit rainfall and other adverse conditions have damaged the crop under NS canal ayacut area of Guntur district.
The chili farmers who invested lakhs of rupees are now using water tankers and spraying water to save the standing crop. They are spending Rs. 40,000 to 50,0000 per acre for spraying the water. If they spray 20,000 liters water, which is equal to 5mm rainfall, the crop survives for one week to ten days, depending on the climate. Chillis, cotton, red gram, black gram farmers in Prattipadu, Macherla, Narasaraopet, Vinukonda, Pidiguralla, Gurazala mandals are using oil engines to spray water on the withering crop. The farmers are of the view that if they save the crop for one for one month, they will get the yield.
T.Sivaiah, another farmer from Prattipadu said, "I am worried about chilli crop. Due to deficit rainfall and drought we are spraying water to save the standing crop. During this season crop was damaged due to severe drought. Heavy rains also damaged the standing crop twice. Then the crop started withering, I am spraying water to save the standing crop. I am cultivating chillis in two acres in and spent over Rs.1.5 lakh.
We have asked the irrigation officials to release sufficient water through canals, but, they did not take measures to release sufficient water. At present tail-end lands under Nagarjujnasagar canal in Prattipadu is also not getting water." Deputy Director of Horticulture, V.Jayachandra Reddy said that as per instructions of the government, the department is supplying rain guns and sprinklers to the farmers to spray water and save the withering crop.
By Syam Sundar
