Dry spell, poor monsoon worsen Seema farmers' distress

 ANANTAPUR: The deficit of rain and abnormal rise in temperatures has started affecting the groundnut crop in many parts of Rayalaseema region.

Groundnut is a major crop in the region. It has been severely impacted by the delay in Southwest monsoon. Not even 60 per cent of the crop has been sown so far. Even the existing crop has started withering due to lack of timely rainfall.

The situation is worse in Anantapur and Satya Sai districts, which top in groundnut production. Distress farmers are weeding out groundnut saplings that have withered.

Many farmers in Anantapur rely on monsoons. Irregular or inadequate rainfall can disrupt farm schedules, impacting crop yields and income. Rising costs of agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and machinery can pose financial challenges for farmers. In case farmers borrow money to cover these costs, they may end up trapped in a cycle of debt.

Farmer Lakshmanna from Gudibanda said he had sown groundnut over five acres. Lack of rainfall has led to the entire crop withering when at peak stage. “I will have to incur debts to support my family," he observed.

Farmers in Anantapur, like elsewhere in Rayalaseema region, face the risk of crop failures due to droughts, floods, pests and diseases. These events can result in substantial economic losses and push farmers into debt and financial distress, exacerbating existing challenges in the agricultural sector.