Paddy has been sown in only about 23 per cent of the total area in the state till August 1 this year. This is an increase from about 13 per cent of the total area a week ago. Normally, paddy, is sown in about 26 lakh hectare in the state in the Kharif season, but this year it has only been sown in 6 lakh hectare. Sowing in all the four coastal districts — Guntur, Krishna, West and East Godavari — is much lesser than the normal at this time. Out of 2.6 lakh hectare of paddy land in Guntur, only 5,691 hectares of land has been sown. “However, we have sown about 16,000 hectare with NSP paddy today and we are expecting some good rains in the coming days,” said V. Sridhar, joint director of agriculture, Guntur district.
D. Pramila, joint director of agriculture, East Godavari district, said, “By the end of the month, sowing is likely to improve. Rainfall has been good and canals will be opened shortly. Only six out of the 58 mandals are in deficit of rainfall.” Sowing in West Godavari is 45 per cent below normal due to insufficient water in the canals. V.D.V. Krupadas, joint director of West Godavari, said, “We will wait for 15 days before implementing contingency plans.”
Telangana region has rallied on the back of continuous rains. B. Prasad, joint director of agriculture, Karimnagar district, said, “Sowing has picked up tremendously in the last 20 days because of the daily rainfall.” Rayalseema region has also completed sowing in almost 80 per cent of normal sown land by this time.