Farmers Movement Archive

Dry spell, pests hit farmers hard

Rosaiah is a tenant farmer who leased out about 40 acres and cultivated cotton in Siddapur village in Sadashivapet mandal. In the first dry spell cotton sown by him was adversely affected and he was forced to hire labour and sow cotton seed again in part of the field. For that he spent a few thousand rupees. “The crop has grown to considerable level. Now the crop has been facing Penu Banka insect and its proving costly. Despite using several pesticides it could not be controlled. Only sufficient rains can save the crop,” said Mr. Rosaiah. “Many farmers are facing similar situation. Paddy and cotton crops are getting damaged. However as majority of cotton was sown under borewells it was estimated that the loss would be more for cotton. The yield will be worst affected,” Mr G. Jayaraj, secretary, All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), told The Hindu . Cotton, maize and paddy farmer were expected to have the problem of heavy loss in Medak district. “The crop loss will be in about 10,000 acres if there are no rains in the next few days and the number of farmers will be around 25,000. The crop loss will be around Rs. 25 crore approximately,” said an agriculture officer. In Siddipet district, the crop area was considerably reduced due to lack of rains. It was stated that crop areas was reduced by one lack acres. Crops drying up was reported at Toguta and Jagadevpur.

The Hindu

2021-08-13

SANGAREDDDY,TELANGANA