Date:08/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/08/stories/2007070851060300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Paddy transplantation picks up in East Godavari

Correspondent

Release of water hastens raising of nurseries

Transplantation will be over by month-end
No shortage of water for standing crops

Kakinada: The seasonal conditions have been fairly congenial to agricultural operations and the paddy transplantation that started on a limited scale under borewells in Kothapet and Mummidivaram areas last week has now picked up in central delta in the district. The irrigation tanks and reservoirs all over the district are now full and the paddy nurseries were raised to an extent of 90 per cent. The release of Godavari water into canals has hastened the process of raising paddy nurseries and paddy transplantation. Though the cyclonic rain has caused damage to a considerable extent to paddy nurseries, the Agricultural Department was able to come to the rescue of ryots by prompt supply of MCU 1001 variety of paddy seed to a quantity of 5000 MTs enabling them to raise paddy nurseries afresh. Deputy director of agriculture I. Ramakrishna Murthy said on Friday that paddy nurseries were raised on 9,500 hectares as against the normal nursery area of 10,500 hectares.

As against the 268,771 hectares of normal paddy area during kharif, he said, eastern delta accounts for 99,285 hectares, central delta 81,739 hectares, Pithapuram branch canal 13,914 hectares and Yeleru reservoir 21456 hectares. He said the district had received 238.79 mm of rainfall during June as against normal rainfall of 120 MM, which had helped in the agricultural operations to go on a brisk pace. Mr. Ramakrishna Murthy opined that paddy transplantation would be completed to an extent of 90 per cent by July 20 and 100 per cent by the month-end. Since all irrigation sources were full, he said, there would not be any shortage of water for standing crops, even if there was no rain during next three months.

Regarding the areas under the ongoing projects, he said, 9163 hectares under Musurumilli and 9343 hectares under Bhupathipalem reservoirs might come under assured irrigation during this kharif.