Farmers urged to cut paddy cultivation as El Nino deepens water concerns

Professor Jayashankar State Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Aldas Janaiah has urged farmers in Telangana to reduce paddy cultivation due to prolonged drought conditions caused by El Niño. Speaking at a farmers' seminar in Nalgonda, Janaiah advised farmers against new paddy transplantation based on water expectations from Nagarjuna Sagar and SRSP reservoirs.

The state has experienced a rainfall deficit of 10-12%, with a deficit of nearly 30% in eight districts. Farmers should view this as an opportunity to diversify their crops, replacing paddy with water-saving options such as pulses, oilseeds, and millets. Janaiah cautioned that paddy consumes significant water and chemical fertilizers, and excessive borewell usage has led to groundwater depletion.

With reservoir levels dropping, water availability may become even more uncertain. Farmers who have already planted paddy nurseries must assess local water availability before transplanting. The weather conditions are expected to persist until September, with any substantial rainfall later in the season potentially benefiting a second crop or early Yasangi cultivation more than the current Vanakalam paddy crop.

Farmers' leaders called for government support, crop diversification, and measures to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts from the government, Agriculture Department, irrigation authorities, and agricultural institutions.