Horticulture crop loss on 677 hectares across A.P.

Untimely rains, wind and hailstorms in the first week of April have caused damage to horticulture crops across the State, jacking up farmers’ losses.

According to Horticulture Department officials, untimely rains damaged horticulture crops on 677 hectares in nine districts. Seventy-nine villages in 35 mandals were affected. Crops such as banana, papaya, muskmelon, sweet orange and watermelon are among those hit.

The damage was severe in YSR Kadapa district, with crops on 463.32 hectares having been hit. Prakasam, Ananthapuramu, Annamayya, Nandyal, Kurnool, Sri Satya Sai, NTR and Anakapalli districts also reported losses. Total input subsidy would be over ₹2.20  crore.

Horticulture Department officials said banana crop on 580 hectares was damaged, and 596 farmers were affected. Similarly, papaya was damaged on 75 hectares, muskmelon crop on 5.83 hectares, sweet orange on 1.92 hectares, and watermelon on 3.04 hectares. Vegetable crops were damaged on 10.41 hectares and drumstick crop was damaged on 0.40 hectares.

Minister for Agriculture K. Atchnnaidu has announced that the government would provide an input subsidy of ₹35,000 an hectare for banana farmers, apart from ₹75,000 an hectare for undertaking cultivation again. In total, the government will extend ₹1,10,000 an hectare to banana farmers. The farmers would get additional benefits, if they have insurance cover. “The government stands by the farmers,” the Minister said.