Dry spell leaves Chittoor farmers staring at crop loss

Farmers in the tail-end areas of Chittoor district are facing a deepening water crisis as a prolonged dry spell, following a rainfall deficit since March, has left fields moisture-stressed and borewells under pressure, raising concerns over the kharif crop.

The district received only 3,033.4 mm of rain between June and August, against the normal 8,543.1 mm, resulting in a deficit of 64.5%. With the crucial kharif season nearing its end, farmers see little possibility of a significant recovery.

June brought some relief, with 1,476.4 mm of rainfall against the normal 2,228.3 mm, a deficit of 33.7%. However, rainfall declined sharply in July, when the district received just 414.8 mm against the normal 2,863.2 mm, resulting in a deficit of 85.5%. The deficit stood at 66.9% in August, further weakening hopes of a healthy crop season.

The situation is particularly severe in the western parts of the district. Gudupalle in Kuppam revenue division recorded the highest deficit at 90.9%, followed by Irala at 87.4%, Thavanampalle at 86.1%, V. Kota at 84.6%, Bangarupalem at 82.2% and Kuppam at 82.1%. Yadamarri recorded a deficit of 79.9%, while the deficits in Peddapanjani and Gangavaram stood at 78.8% and 78.3%, respectively.

The prolonged dry spell has dealt a severe blow to rain-fed cultivation. Farmers said the June showers had encouraged them to take up kharif sowing, but the absence of adequate rainfall in July and August left standing crops struggling for moisture, resulting in poor germination, stunted growth and drying plants.

“Though we thought of resowing after receiving some rain in August, we had to drop the idea due to the increasing cost of cultivation,” said Hareesh, a B.Sc. (Horticulture) student-turned-farmer from M. Kotur in Palamaner mandal.

“Inadequate rainfall has led to a sharp decline in groundwater levels. The threat of El Niño has forced many farmers to refrain from spending more on irrigation. As a result, farmers are unwilling to take up the digging of new borewells,” a field officer in Kuppam division said.

The rainfall deficit has also resulted in poor inflows into tanks, ponds and streams and reduced groundwater recharge, increasing the pressure on drinking-water sources in villages. In Kuppam and Palamaner mandals, major dairy hubs, farmers are particularly worried about the drying up of grazing lands and the shortage of fodder.