Telangana, the largest paddy-growing state within the nation in the course of the rabi season, has sown paddy in about 51 lakh acres within the present season, which is decrease than final yr’s 57 lakh acres.
The crop, at the moment within the ‘panicle initiation to grain filling stage’, requires three rounds of irrigation.
Groundwater ranges fell by 1.36 metres to eight.70 metres (depth to water degree) in February 2024 from 7.30 metres in the identical month final yr. The water storage ranges in main reservoirs fell to 270 TMC as of as we speak, towards 413 metres, exhibiting bleak prospects.
- Learn: Half of main Indian reservoirs at lower than 40% of capability
“The rabi season began late by a month because the kharif season bought prolonged by a month due to rains early within the season. We’re mid-way in March and the crop would require at the least 2-3 rounds of watering. The reviews of declining groundwater ranges from totally different elements of the State are fear some,” an agriculture scientist advised businessline.
Paddy space
The paddy space within the rabi season, like within the kharif season, has gone up considerably during the last three years because of the rise in irrigation services. A series of reservoirs, led by the Kaleshwaram mission, helped the State improve the provision of water for agriculture.
The State’s rabi space, which stood at 55 lakh acres, went as much as 72 lakh acres final yr, reflecting improve in water availability . The paddy space elevated to 56 lakh acres final yr as towards the traditional space of 40 lakh acres.
Inspired by good demand and warranted costs for the commodity, farmers elevated the realm. This yr, nonetheless, their hopes have been dashed by depleted groundwater ranges.
“In some areas, farmers are going for brand new borewells to attract water and salvage the crop. Going by the indications, the output is more likely to be hit by at the least 15-20 per cent. Yields too are more likely to come down,” S Malla Reddy, a pacesetter of All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), has mentioned.
FCI extension
In the meantime, the Union Authorities has prolonged the deadline for the State to mill and ship the rice from the 2022-23 rabi season to the Central pool to Might 15, 2024.
“The State should full the supply of custom-milled rice to the Meals Company of India by Might 15. It ought to occur earlier than they begin the supply of the 2023-24 rabi rice,” a high official of the Union Ministry of Shopper Affairs, Meals and Public Distribution mentioned in a letter to the State Authorities.
Nonetheless, it cautioned towards delivering recycled rice to the FC and directed the FCI to watch such wrongful practices. Rice recycling refers to malpractice the place unscrupulous merchants purchase again the PDS (public distribution system) rice at a less expensive price and ship it to the FCI at a better worth level.
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