KHAMMAM / KOTHAGUDEM: Incessant rains in Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts are expected to adversely affect cotton production. Rain water remains stagnant over 10,000 acres in Enkoor, Konigerla, Errupalem, Kusumanchi and Kamepalli of Khammam district and Julurpad, Tekulapalli, Dummugudem, Manuguru, Gundala and Allapalli mandals of Bhadradri district.
Buds and flowers in cotton fields have started falling following the rains. M. Sudhakar, a farmer from Manchukonda in Raghunadhapalem mandal of Khammam district said, “Rains are good for paddy and to some extent for chilli, but not cotton. Cotton prices will rise as its production is expected to fall steeply.”
Mandals like Dummugudem, Pinapaka, Manuguru and Julurpad in Bhadradri district have received 100 mm rainfall during the last 48 hours. B. Sankar Naik, a farmer from Papakollu in Julurpad mandal, said, “Many plants are falling to the ground with rain water standing in the fields. Such plants will not survive if there are more rains.”
Excess rains also attract pests that harm cotton. Farmers recall that cotton crop had been badly hit by pests last year in Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts. Farmers could harvest only 3–6 quintals an acre, against normal production of 12 to 14 quintals.
