Nellore: Regardless of a report allocation of irrigation water for 3.60 lakh acres through the early Kharif season by the irrigation advisory board, farmers within the SPSR Nellore district are hesitant to start cultivation throughout almost 1 lakh acres.
The apprehension stems from the failure of irrigation officers to undertake de-silting works in key canal methods forward of the sowing season.
Apparently, Nellore is the one district within the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh area with a mixed water storage capability of 100tmc within the Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs this season.
“Though clearance was given for cultivating 3.60 lakh acres, we anticipate that the precise cultivation could also be restricted to 2.50 lakh acres, particularly in areas like Manubolu mandal, the place canals stay choked with silt,” stated joint director of agriculture, T Sathyavani.
To assist farmers in planning their crops, the agriculture division carried out district-wide coaching periods from April 21 to 30 on crop choice and administration. Moreover, over 27,000 soil samples have been collected to supply crop-specific suggestions based mostly on soil well being and fertility.
Farmers are being inspired to focus their consideration on short-duration and fine-quality paddy varieties akin to KNM 1638, MTU 1010, NLR 34449 and NLR 3354. The division can also be recommending that fifty per cent of the landholdings be used to develop pulses like inexperienced gram and black gram, alongside inexperienced manure crops to assist considered water utilization below irrigated dry crop practices.
Additional, the agriculture division is selling pre-monsoon dry sowing (PDS) to boost soil well being. PDS kits, containing 30 kinds of seeds, are being distributed by ladies self-help teams. The apply is anticipated to enhance soil fertility, natural carbon ranges, and water retention, whereas additionally addressing micronutrient deficiencies.
In the meantime, minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy urged water customers affiliation (WUA) presidents to actively take part in equitable water distribution. At a current assembly, he additionally emphasised the necessity to shift in the direction of low-water-consuming crops.
In a noteworthy announcement, the minister revealed an allocation of Rs.18 crore for main irrigation initiatives. He additionally confirmed that minor canal de-silting can be undertaken below the MGNREGS scheme to deal with infrastructural gaps forward of the season.
