Severe rainfall deficit impacts Kharif farming in Markapuram
Markapuram District Collector M. Vijaya Suneetha. | Photo credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS
Acute rainfall deficit has caused severe farm crisis in Markapuram district due to prevailing Super El Nino conditions. This development has sharply curtailed kharif cultivation, reduced crop prospects and intensified moisture stress in horticultural crops in the affected areas.
Speaking to The Hindu , Collector M. Vijaya Suneetha pointed out that the district had received only 108.6 mm of rainfall against the normal 228.4 mm since June 1, a deficit of 52.5%.
The impact was reportedly seen in kharif coverage. Compared to the normal sowing area of 85,577 hectares, only 18,055 hectares have been cultivated so far, leaving 67,522 hectares unsown. Coverage fell to 21.09% compared to 79% last year. Standing crops are also expected to suffer steep yield losses, with production of red gram potentially falling from five quintals to 0.5 quintals an acre and cotton from 10 quintals to one or two quintals.
Impact on horticulture
Horticulture was also severely affected, where 9,092 hectares were cultivated against the normal 32,097 hectares. Chilli, normally grown on 19,131 hectares, has been transplanted to only 3,200 hectares, compared to 9,500 hectares this time last year. Meanwhile, the administration is encouraging farmers to diversify into short-season vegetables wherever irrigation allows, which helps conserve water, reduce climate risks and generate faster yields.
Citrus growers on 4,628 hectares of sweet orange and sour lime are dealing with moisture stress, less fruit, reduced juice content, heatstroke, sucking pests and diseases such as dry root rot and gummosis. Officials recommend weed mats, organic mulches, farm ponds, micro-irrigation, anti-transpiration sprays and foliar applications of micronutrients, while cautioning against over-watering after a prolonged dry spell.
Meanwhile, banana growers in Giddalur and Komarole mandals are experiencing moisture stress and increased Sigatoka leaf spot. Farmers are advised to follow the recommended fungicide schedule, including propiconazole at 1 ml per liter of water.
Promotion of farm ponds
For standing crops such as mango, papaya, guava, lime, pomegranate, vegetables and chillies, the administration supports farm ponds, micro-irrigation, weed mulching, PMDS and crop insurance. Under El Nino mitigation, targets include farm ponds for 791 farmers and weed mats in over 692 hectares, while PMDS has already been implemented in 4,371.80 hectares of horticulture crops across the district.
Published – 9 Sep 2026 20:13 IST