Crop survey to determine extent of cultivation

WARANGAL: In a bid to determine the exact area of land under cultivation in the state, the government has taken up field-wise crop booking. Agriculture department officials are working towards completing the survey by September 5.

Earlier, officials would take on register the claim of the farmer regarding cultivation. This time, they are conducting the survey based on the land survey number. Agricultural extension officers (AEOs) are registering the extent of cultivation of crops in a given survey number under their cluster.

The details are updated in the crop booking portal on the go. This data will be used while procuring fertilisers.

This year’s preparation for the vanakalam cultivation has come to an end. Farmers are estimated to have grown crops on 3,77,096 acres of land in Warangal district. So far, officials identified 3,36,713 acres as cultivated of which 1,64,682 is under cotton, 1,12,422 acres paddy, 34,852 maize, 10,380 turmeric and 5,362 acres is under peanut. While paddy sowing has come to an end, mirchi farmers are busy in their fields.

Agriculture joint director Usha Dayal said the AEOs are inspecting every crop as part of the survey. “Some farmers who have recently registered their land holdings are applying for Rythu Bhima, the deadline for which is the end of this month. Once the process ends, the survey process can speed up. The crop booking will be completed by September 5,” she said.

In Jangaon district, an estimated 3,05,153 acres is under cultivation. Oil palm is being included in the survey for the first time. With good rainfall this year and irrigation projects, the water bodies are brimming and the underground water levels have increased allowing farmers to cultivate under bore wells.