A farmer looking at his cauliflower crop damaged by Cyclone Montha in Penamalur near Vijayawada. | Photo credit: KVS Giri
Cyclone Montha dealt a severe blow to cauliflower growers in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Krishna district, damaging standing crops and putting growers in distress. Recent cyclone-induced rains have caused significant damage to cauliflower fields in parts of Penamalur Mandal, with several tenant farmers reporting heavy losses. The 90-day crop, which promised good yields this season, was hit during the crucial stage of curd formation. It is estimated that farmers cultivated cauliflower on about 100 acres in Krishna district, mostly in and around Penamalur. Horticulture department officials are assessing the losses suffered by farmers in Krishna and other parts of the state. Cauliflower is usually grown as a winter crop, with farmers investing ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per acre and expecting returns of ₹1 to ₹1.5 lakh under normal conditions. However, Cyclone Montha overturned those expectations this year. Farmers like Sk. Basha and Sheik Mastan Vali of Chodavaram said the cost of cultivation ranged between ₹45,000 and ₹70,000 per acre, depending on the rental charges. “If the crop goes well, we will earn about ₹1.5,000 per hectare. But after this rain, we are not sure if we will even be able to get ₹40,000,” said Mr Basha, who has been cultivating lady’s finger cauliflower and plans to sow maize next. Mastan Vali, a tenant farmer who rented 1.5 acres, reported losses of nearly ₹ 1 lakh due to rain damage. “We supply to both local shops and wholesale markets. The yield and prices were promising this year, but the rains ruined everything,” he said. Another farmer, Dasari Seetaiah of Penamalur, said that cauliflower is grown on 30 to 40 acres in his village, with each farmer owning 1 to 3 acres. “On average, one acre produces 15,000 to 16,000 flowers. Some even up to 20,000 when conditions are good,” he explained. Cauliflower is usually grown after turmeric or lady’s finger, followed by maize. Tenants pay around ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per acre per year as rent. The crop generally fetches an income of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh per acre, depending on yield and market rates. District Horticulturist J. Jyothi said around 90.96 hectares of vegetables were grown in the district this season, with 100 acres under cauliflower yielding nearly 25 tonnes per hectare. Farmers are planning to use the Namdhari hybrid variety for the second crop targeting the January-February market. An assessment of the losses caused by the cyclone is underway. “Curd (flower) formation should be more than 33% otherwise it will not be counted as a loss as farmers can immediately get another crop,” Ms Jyothi said. Most cauliflower is grown during the rabi (winter) season from September to February when the climate is cooler. Some early and off-season varieties are also grown to meet year-round demand. Many farmers are now preparing to re-cultivate their land to grow maize.
Published – 12 Nov 2025 19:51 IST
