Distressed farmer sets paddy field on fire after crop dries up

Atmakur (S), (Suryapet): A tenant farmer, unable to bear the sight of his standing paddy crop drying up due to inadequate electricity and water supply, allegedly set fire to his own field in distress. The incident occurred at Atmakur (S) mandal in Suryapet district.

The farmer, Yathakula Mallaiah, a resident of the mandal headquarters, had taken four acres of agricultural land on lease at a rental cost of Rs 20,000 per acre and cultivated paddy. He had already invested around Rs 80,000 in the crop.

However, the lack of rainfall and frequent power cuts severely affected the cultivation. As a result, the paddy crop spread across three acres dried up, leaving the farmer in deep distress. Mallaiah had been struggling to save at least the remaining one acre of paddy from drying up. Despite his efforts, the shortage of water and irregular electricitysupply left him facing the prospect of losing his investment and livelihood. Unable to cope with the mounting distress caused by the crop loss, the farmer reportedly set fire to his field.

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The Hans India