Monsoon delay leaves Siddipet farmers in distress

Siddipet: Farmers across Siddipet district are worried as the Southwest Monsoon has been delayed this year. Even after a month into the season, many farmers have neither sown seeds nor prepared paddy nurseries. With three traditional agricultural periods (“Karthes”) already passing without sufficient rainfall, farmers are increasingly concerned about the Kharif cropping season.

Last year, by this time, nearly 50% farmers had completed paddy transplantation, while crops, such as cotton, maize and redgram, had already germinated and reached the weeding stage. However, in this Kharif agricultural activity has become extremely difficult due to lack of rainfall.

According to the Agriculture department, paddy cultivation is expected on 385,338 acres in the district this year. Cotton is projected to cover 118,772 acres, maize 28,027 acres, redgram 7,431 acres and other crops about 1,982 acres.

Normally, paddy transplantation begins in many parts of the district during the second week of June. This year, however, absence of rains and lack of water in tanks, ponds and borewells have delayed farming operations. On one hand, cultivation has been postponed due to dry conditions, while on the other, seeds already sown have failed to germinate, causing severe anxiety among farmers. Experts say only widespread rainfall can revive paddy, cotton and other crops and put the Kharif season back on track.

Although scientists and government have warned the El Niño phenomenon could reduce rainfall, farmers say the situation has become so severe that even sowing drought-tolerant crops is difficult. Similar conditions prevail throughout the district.

Meanwhile, in Husnabad, Akkannapet and Koheda mandals, farmers are offering special prayers to village deities seeking rainfall. Traditional rituals, including Kappathalli ceremonies and women performing Bathukamma songs and dances, are being held to invoke the rain god. Devotees are performing ‘Jalabhishekam’ in village temples, praying for rain to save their crops. Despite these efforts, rains have remained elusive. With the Kharif approaching, fertiliser and seed dealers are also expressing concern, saying sales have remained sluggish due to delayed cultivation. Fields across the district have turned barren; farmers say apart from hoping for rain, they have no alternative left.

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The Hans India