Ryots gearing up for Kharif season in Andhra Pradesh
With the early arrival of the monsoon expected in Andhra Pradesh, farmers in Krishna and NTR districts are preparing for the Kharif season. Ploughing and seed broadcasting have begun, with cultivation likely across 6 lakh acres. Paddy is the major crop. Authorities are arranging seed and fertiliser supplies. Farmers await promised financial aid under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme.
VIJAYAWADA: With the early arrival of the monsoon expected to hit the State a week in advance, farmers are gearing up for the Kharif season with renewed enthusiasm.
Expecting heavy and adequate rains this season, farmers across Andhra Pradesh are preparing their fields for cultivation. Many farmers have begun ploughing their lands using tractors, while some have already started broadcasting seeds. In this method, farmers scatter seeds by hand or machines directly on the soil surface.
If all conditions remain favourable, this Kharif season is expected to see cultivation across 6 lakh acres in Krishna and NTR districts. During the last Kharif season (2024), crops were cultivated over 2.42 lakh hectares (5.99 lakh acres) in both districts—3.76 lakh acres in Krishna district and 2.23 lakh acres in NTR district—according to the Season and Crop Coverage Report of the State government. This year, a similar extent of cultivation is expected.
Generally, the target area across both districts is 2.90 lakh hectares (7.16 lakh acres) during every Kharif season, and 86% to 95% of this land—approximately 5.5 to 6 lakh acres—is cultivated annually with various crops.
Paddy remains the main crop in both districts, cultivated on about 4.79 lakh acres—3.70 lakh acres in Krishna district and 1.10 lakh acres in NTR district. Other crops cultivated include jowar, maize, groundnut, sunflower, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, red gram, black gram, green gram, as well as food grains, oil seeds, and other commercial crops.
Agricultural authorities are preparing to supply seeds to farmers. On government direction, Agricultural Joint Directors in all districts have already sent proposals for seed and fertiliser indent. The seeds will be distributed through the Rythu Seva Kendram (RSK/RBK) upon receipt. Speaking to TNIE, Krishna District Agriculture Joint Director Manohar said they had already sent the indent details to the State office and would receive the seeds shortly for distribution to farmers.
As farmers begin agricultural operations, they are also seeking financial aid from the government. During the election campaign, the coalition government assured the sanction of `20,000 to each farmer under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme.
Although the Centre has released Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi funds, the government has not done the same. Earlier, the government announced that it would release the guidelines and funds for Annadata Sukhibhava in May 2025. In contrast, no guidelines have been released so far. It is expected that the government will issue guidelines, eligibility criteria, and release funds within a week.
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Source : The New Indian Express
