Crisis looms large for groundnut farmers

Parigi: Farmers of the constituency, especially in Puduru, Doma and Kulkachalra mandals, are reeling under distress as ground water level has depleted due to deficit rainfall. It is learned that the farmers have increased cultivation of groundnut crop. As water levels are 50 per cent lesser compared to the previous year, the farmers are anxious to save the standing crops.

Around 80 per cent of farmers in Kulkachalra mandal have cultivated groundnut this year. At a few places the crop has already dried up. Farmers fear that the crop may only be used as fodder as they have lost confidence on saving the crop.

Venkatiah, a farmer from Antharam village, said that there is no water in borewells although power is supplied round the day. The reason is lack of enough rainfall this year. He added, “earlier we left the maize crop as fodder and we had hopes on groundnut but that too seems to be failing”.

The situation is seen more so in Puttapahad, Antaram, Bandavelkicherla and Ramreddypalli villages. However, a few farmers who are using drip irrigation are confident of saving the crop. Farmers who have applied for drip irrigation on subsidy, demanding the government to provide them at the earliest.

Added to their water problems, groundnut farmers are concerned lot due to wild boars that are attacking their crops. Farmers are spending sleepless nights at their farm to save their crop. A few farmers are taking innovative measures such as fencing their fields with sarees.

Mogulaiah, a farmer from Bomreddy village, said that wild boars frequently attack the crops as the fields are nearer to the forest. He added, “We are desperately trying to save our crops from boars and several farmers were injured in the past as boars attack in groups. The government authorities should take necessary measures to address the issue and provide compensation for crop loss”.