After a long dry spell, copious rains that lashed the district have brought cheers to farmers. Because of the favourable weather, farmers are expecting paddy cultivation in over 6 lakh acres for the ensuing rabi season which is set to begin from the fourth week of this month. At the recent meeting of the Irrigation Advisory Board, it has been decided that canal water will be supplied to nearly 4.16 lakh acres of paddy fields from October 25. However, farmers would go for another 2 lakh acres of cultivation under borewells and irrigation wells, it is learnt.
The district witnessed steady rainfall in the last three days, raising hopes among farmers for rabi season. The Penna delta area, known for reaping three harvests a year, has also received good rain in the last few days. This wet spell will help recharge groundwater and increase available water resources in reservoirs such as Kandaleru, Somasila and Kaligiri, farmers say. Paddy is extensively grown under these reservoirs and it requires steady supply of water throughout the cropping season.
“This rainfall has come as a big breather to all. Farmers have already started plantations in areas such as Venkatagiri and Nayudupeta,” said Ch. Koti Reddy, president of the Confederation of Indian Farmers Associations, Nellore district unit.
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The farmers associations across the district have already demanded that Somasila and Kandaleru dams be filled with more water by releasing water from the Srisailam reservoir to meet the future needs of crops.