The State government is hopeful that the agricultural activity, which is currently slow due to delayed monsoon, will pick up from next month.
Crops are sown in an estimated 27.64 lakh hectares in different parts of the State during the current season. But the activity has slowed down due to deficit rainfall, down from the normal 317.2 mm to 200.2 mm. However, the situation is expected to improve in the coming days as the India Meteorological Department has predicted normal rainfall during August.
Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi reviewed the present crop situation and progress of Rythu Bima scheme with senior officials on Thursday. He was informed by the officials concerned that rainfall was normal in five districts while it was deficit in the remaining districts.
In all, crops were sown in 64 % of the total cropping area till date and cultivation of all crops except for paddy was satisfactory. Paddy cultivation would also pick up and reach normal level as good rains were forecast in August. Officials informed the Chief Secretary that there were no inflows into the Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs and farmers were waiting for the water levels to increase. According to an official release, Mr. Joshi told the officials that he would review the situation again on August 13 and wanted month-wise information on agriculture activities from the past few years.