Rayalaseema, a key horticultural hub in Andhra Pradesh, is facing a severe crisis this Kharif season due to drought, low crop prices, and crop damage. The region, which supplies large volumes of fruit, vegetables, and flowers, is seeing reduced cultivation and financial pressure among farmers.
Drought conditions have impacted cultivation across Rayalaseema, except Kurnool district, until early August. According to the agriculture department, by September 10, after 14 weeks of the Kharif season, average cultivation in the state reached 81 per cent. In Rayalaseema, however, cultivation lagged behind with Anantapur at 76 per cent, Sri Sathya Sai at 42 per cent, Annamayya at 19 per cent, YSR Kadapa at 35 per cent, and Chittoor at 24 per cent. Crops that were sown also suffered damage from erratic weather.
Rayalaseema dominates Andhra Pradesh's horticultural output. The region produces 40 million tons of bananas out of the state's 74 million tons, 22.35 million tons of sweet oranges out of 24 million tons, and 41 million tons of tomatoes out of 42.46 million tons. Onion production is around 150,000 tons, primarily from Kurnool.
Despite this production, farmers are struggling with low prices. "Tomato prices have crashed to US$0.02–0.06 per kg, despite Rayalaseema producing 41 million tons of the state's overall production of 42.46 million tons," said farmers' leader B Dasaradha Rami Reddy. Bananas of the G9 variety, grown over 274,000 acres (110,900 hectares) with a yield of 74 million tons, have dropped to US$4.80–7.20 per 100 kg. Sweet orange prices have fallen to US$72–144 per ton compared with the previous US$480–1,200.
Former ICAR member MVS Nagireddy noted that onion farmers remain under pressure, as state market intervention schemes have not provided relief. He added that groundnut and oilseed cultivation decreased by 500,000 acres (202,350 hectares) this season. Crops that were planted faced additional damage from drought and excessive rain.
Regional tomato production was led by Anantapur with 11.9 million tons, Annamayya with 8.3 million tons, Sri Sathya Sai with 7.1 million tons, Chittoor with 5.9 million tons, Kurnool with 3.0 million tons, Nandyal with 2.3 million tons, Kadapa with 1.6 million tons, and Tirupati with 0.9 million tons, bringing Rayalaseema's contribution to 41 million tons. Banana production from the region included Anantapur with 13 million tons on 46,900 acres (18,980 hectares), Kadapa with 11.5 million tons on 42,000 acres (17,000 hectares), and Annamayya with 7.63 million tons on 27,200 acres (11,000 hectares). Sweet orange output included Anantapur with 10.3 million tons on 121,000 acres (48,960 hectares) and Kadapa with 7.53 million tons on 93,650 acres (37,900 hectares), making Rayalaseema's total 22.3 million tons.
Farmers supplying these volumes to both Andhra Pradesh and national markets warn that without intervention to stabilize prices and provide support, the future remains uncertain.
Source: The Times of India