TIRUPATI: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has reported that the cumulative average rainfall received in the State during the South-West Monsoon from June to September 2024 was 681.6 mm, against the normal 574.7 mm. However, certain mandals received less than the normal rainfall, with recorded dry spells.
Following an article published in TNIE on November 4, 2024, titled “Crop Yields Drop by 38% in Drought-Hit Annamayya,” the Agriculture Ministry clarified that the Andhra Pradesh government has declared 27 mandals as facing severe drought, with another 27 categorised as moderate drought. The most affected regions include Annamayya district, where all 19 designated mandals are classified as severely affected, with Kalakada experiencing the harshest conditions. Other impacted districts include Kurnool (2 moderate), Anantapur (2 severe, 5 moderate), Sri Sathya Sai (3 severe, 7 moderate), and Chittoor (3 severe, 13 moderate), as per GO No. 15 issued on October 29, 2024.
While these districts initially received good rainfall at the beginning of Kharif 2024, crop yields in drought-affected areas have declined. In Annamayya, the most severely impacted district, all 19 mandals are in the severe drought category, including Kalakada. Other affected districts include Anantapur (2 severe, 5 moderate), Sri Sathya Sai (3 severe, 7 moderate), Chittoor (3 severe, 13 moderate), and Kurnool (2 moderate). Although the overall rainfall was normal or excessive, the distribution was uneven, with significant deficits in July and scarce rainfall in August and September.
Data indicates cumulative rainfall in these districts as normal to excess: Anantapur recorded 452.4 mm (34% above normal), Sri Sathya Sai 460.8 mm (37% above normal), Chittoor 485.5 mm (7% above normal), Annamayya 387.3 mm (2% increase), and Kurnool 487.3 mm (13% surplus). However, the erratic rainfall pattern has severely impacted key Kharif crops, especially groundnut. For instance, in Kalakada, the sown area for all crops was only 47.62% of normal, with groundnut coverage at a mere 29.96% due to insufficient rainfall.
Despite an increase in overall crop coverage at the beginning of Kharif 2024 compared to last year, yields have been severely affected in drought-hit districts. In Chittoor, crop area coverage rose from 5,449 hectares in 2023 to 11,004 hectares this year, while in Anantapur, it increased from 13,921 hectares to 21,546 hectares. Nevertheless, yield losses in rain-fed areas, especially for groundnut, are estimated to be as high as 40-50% due to the prolonged dry spell.
The State government is currently assessing crop losses on a farmer-wise basis to compile reports. The ministry emphasized that while initial rains boosted early Kharif coverage, the drought declaration highlights the need for targeted interventions to support affected farmers.
