HYDERABAD: Despite a fall in groundwater levels in some districts, with a good monsoon and good water level at dams, cultivation activities are progressing well in the state. The southwest monsoon, which is crucial for the agriculture sector in the state, is quite active in the state according to local meteorologists. Moderate to good rains were received all over the state during this week; 55.9 mm of rainfall was received against the normal of 52.7 mm with a deviation of six per cent.
The weekly report released by the agriculture department shows the state has received an average rainfall of 453.8 mm as against the normal of 358.5 mm between June 1 and July 31, showing a deviation of 27 per cent. Of the 33 districts in the state 21 received excess rainfall and 12 got normal rainfall. Due to water availability, farmers have started the sowing works and paddy nurseries are being raised under assured irrigation sources. Sowing of rain-fed crops like jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, pulses, groundnut, soybean and cotton is under progress and they are likely to continue for another two weeks.
The agriculture department has taken different measures to make the required quantities of seeds and fertilizers available to the farmers during the Vanakalam 2024 season, the officials said.
Across the state, 57.73 per cent of the normal cropped area has been sown. 11 districts have been found to have covered 51 to 75 per cent, while 14 districts have 26 to 50 per cent coverage. In Adilabad, Komaram Bheem, Asifabad and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts, the crop covered is between 76 per cent and 100 per cent. Adilabad has had 100 per cent sowing of normal area. Mulugu, Wanaparthy and Suryapet districts have covered less than 25 per cent. The sowing of soybean and cotton has also progressed well with 76 to 100 per cent of the area covered. The crop areas of maize, red gram, green gram and black gram are covered between 51 to 75 per cent, while paddy, jowar, groundnut and sugarcane crop areas were covered 26 to 50 per cent of the regular crop.
All major reservoirs together are holding a total quantity of 485.60 TMC as of July 31, at this time last year the level was at 485.13 TMC. Major crops like paddy, maize and cotton though below seasonal normal now are expected to recover with rains and various projects in river basins becoming full. The groundwater level in the state has fallen from 8.67 mgbl (meters below ground level) in June 2023 to 9.90 mgbl in June 2024, amounting to a fall of 1.23 mgbl in the state.
Met department scientist Dr A. Sravani has predicted heavy rains in Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Suryapet, Mahabubabad and Nalgonda districts for the next two days. “There is a possibility of rains across the state also during the period. The deficit rainfall in some districts is being covered up,” she added.
