Karimnagar Paddy Farmers Face Crop Loss as Rain Deficit Delays Transplantation

Paddy farmers in Gopalpur in Karimnagar rural mandal and Khadaragudam in Manakondur mandal are facing a severe agricultural crisis as a deficit in monsoon rainfall has delayed the transplantation of paddy crops, putting nursery seedlings at risk of becoming unusable. Farmers who prepared their nursery beds anticipating timely rains are now staring at a critical one-week window to transplant their 30-day-old seedlings before they go to waste.

The lack of significant rainfall since the start of the monsoon season, combined with falling water levels in irrigation projects and agricultural wells, has halted transplantation across Karimnagar district. While some farmers with independent water sources have started planting, the majority remain undecided due to dry conditions and forecasts of El Niño.

Manda Rajamallaiah, a farmer from Gopalpur, explained that transplantation must be completed within 30 to 35 days of raising seedlings to ensure a healthy yield. Having raised his seedlings about 30 days ago, Rajamallaiah warned that they will become unusable if it does not rain within a week. This would force local farmers to spend an additional Rs 3,000 to prepare fresh seedlings. He added that although sowing can technically stretch until the end of August, any further delay will severely impact crop yields.

Similarly, M. Odelu, a farmer cultivating a three-acre field in Khadaragudam, shared that his agricultural well does not have enough water to sustain irrigation. Odelu, who also raised his seedlings 30 days ago, has started land preparation but fears a drop in yield if the delay extends beyond the 35-day mark.

Addressing the situation, Dr. Neelam Venkateshwar Rao, senior scientist and head of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Jammikunta, stated that historical rainfall data over the past 20 years shows higher precipitation during August, September, and October, meaning rains could still arrive. He advised farmers to opt for short-duration paddy varieties of around 120 days to complete the crop cycle. However, he warned that if dry conditions persist, farmers may have to shift to alternative crops such as red gram, sunflower, and sesame.