The Hindu Business Line : Paddy in 1.5 lakh ha affected in AP

While the news of Khai-Muk cyclone and its impact on 50,000 hectares of paddy is widely reported, there has been loss of crop in one lakh hectares in the three North Coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam. Paddy is grown in 25 lakh hectares in the State.

The crop has dried up mostly in the rain-fed areas. Mandals along the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers, however, have been spared. Realising the seriousness of the problem, the Department of Agriculture has asked the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) to study the phenomenon and come out with a report.Of an estimated production of 75 lakh tonnes of rice in Andhra Pradesh, the three districts produced about 8.50 lakh tonnes.

“Parts of tribal areas too are affected,” Ms Poonam Malakondaiah, Commissioner for Agriculture, told Business Line.

While this is the case with the rain-fed areas, paddy farmers in the irrigated lands of East and West Godavari districts and Krishna have been affected by the recent cyclone. An estimated 50,000 hectares of paddy area were damaged.

When contacted, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, Minister for Agriculture, said the Government had asked the district collectors and other officials to assess the situation to take fire-fighting measures.

Cotton

The production of cotton too is affected due to hostile conditions in several parts. “The production is likely to come down by 10-15 per cent. There was no problem with the first to pickings. There was a dip in the realisation in the third picking,” Ms Malakondaiah said.

The overall production, however, is not likely to come down as the area under cultivation has gone up this season. As against 10 lakh hectares in the last season, the area under cotton grew to 13.45 lakh hectares this kharif season.

More Stories on : Natural Calamities | Rice | Cotton | Andhra Pradesh

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Paddy in 1.5 lakh ha affected in AP