Rainfall Deficit Hit Kharif in 4 Districts
Adilabad: Severe rainfall deficit in northern Telangana has disrupted kharif operations, prompting many farmers to replant cotton seeds due to poor germination. However, agricultural officials advised farmers not to panic, saying there was still enough time for cotton planting.
While Adilabad and Mancherial districts are facing significant rainfall deficit, Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Nirmal districts are also recording below normal rainfall. Other districts in the region, including Nizamabad, Jagtial and Peddapalli, are experiencing similarly deficient rainfall.
Agriculture officials and weather experts expect an improvement in rainfall activity between June 23-26 and the first week of July, providing some relief to farmers.
There has been almost no significant rainfall in the erstwhile Adilabad district for the past two weeks. Many farmers who planted cotton during the Mrigasira season in early June are now facing poor germination due to prolonged dry conditions.
Official data shows that Adilabad district received only 37.1 mm of rainfall as of June 21 against the normal 128.6 mm, resulting in a deficit of 71 per cent.
Mancherial district recorded only 41.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 117.6 mm, leaving a deficit of around 65 per cent. Komaram Bheem Asifabad district received 49.9 mm against the normal 120 mm, resulting in a deficit of 58 per cent. Nirmal district recorded 52.2 mm against the normal 111.5 mm, a deficit of 53 per cent.
Agricultural scientists have advised farmers to use sprinkler and drip irrigation systems wherever possible to protect newly planted crops. They also emphasized the importance of rainwater conservation in view of the drought-like conditions prevailing in various mandals in Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districts.
Adilabad district agriculture officer Sridhar Swamy said farmers can continue cotton cultivation until July 15. He advised growers to fill gaps where germination is poor to ensure optimum plant population and better yields.
He said if the germination of cotton is substantially poor, farmers can also consider short-duration crops like red gram. Stressing the need for crop diversification, he urged farmers to closely monitor weather conditions while planning their agricultural operations.
Adilabad rainfall deficit: 71%
Normal: 128.6mm
Actual: 37.1mm
Mancherial rainfall deficit: 65%
Normal: 117.6mm
Actual: 41.6mm
Komaram Bheem Asifabad rainfall deficit: 58%
Normal: 120mm
Actual: 49.9mm
Nirmal rainfall deficit: 53%
Normal: 111.5mm
Actual: 52.2mm
Farmers who plant cotton during the Mrigasira season face poor germination and are forced to replant.
Weather forecasts indicate rainfall activity between 23 and 26 June, followed by another period of rainfall in the first week of July.
Agriculture officials say farmers can continue planting cotton until July 15.
Farmers have been advised to fill gaps in fields where seeds have not germinated to maintain optimum plant population.
Facing widespread germination failure, farmers have been advised to consider short-duration crops such as red gram.
Experts recommend using drip and sprinkler irrigation to protect newly planted crops.
Agricultural scientists emphasize the need for rainwater harvesting and conservation measures in an environment where drought-like conditions prevail.
