Area under paddy cultivation in the Alappuzha district is likely to fall in the 2017-18 ‘puncha’ season.
As per the latest data, paddy was sown in around 21,000 hectares so far this season as compared to 27,000 hectares an year ago.
Delayed harvesting of the second crop season (additional crop season) owing to downpour in September-November months and attack of wild rice (vari nellu) in polders during the last season have been attributed to farmers abandoning paddy cultivation, especially in Kuttanad region.
According to agriculture department officials, the harvesting of the recently concluded second crop season was delayed by about 45 days.
It has adversely affected the sowing of paddy during the ‘puncha’ season.
Crop calendar
As per the crop calendar, the ‘puncha’ farming was to be completed by December 15. However, this season sowing is still going on in some areas.
“Delayed sowing means increased threat of salinity. It will also affect the next crop cycle and some farmers decided to abandon cultivation. In areas where wild rice attack was reported, farmers decided against farming as a weed management practice,” said an official.
However, J. Premkumar, principal agriculture officer, told The Hindu that there was not going to be much difference when combined acreage of second and ‘puncha’ seasons are combined.
“It is a fact that some farmers have abandoned cultivation in the current season. But, when we look at an annual basis there is not going to be much difference. Farmers had grown paddy in an additional 3,100 hectares during the second season. We are also expecting sowing in another 2,500 hectares in the next couple of weeks. An exact picture could only be available towards the end of this month,” Mr. Premkumar said.
Online registration
The decline in acreage is also evident from the slow progress farmers register online for the ‘puncha’ season.
According to Supplyco officials, around 23,000 farmers have so far registered their names for the next harvesting season.
Date extended
During 2016-17 season, 33,862 farmers had registered online for the ‘puncha’ season. Supplyco has extended the date for online registration till January 25, officials said.
Pest attacks
Meanwhile, attack by pests such as rice thrips and stem borer on paddy crops had been reported from places such as Thakazhi, Champakulam, and Veeyapuram in Kuttanad during the early stages of crop season.
However, officials said the pest attack has now been brought under control in most of the affected areas.
