With the unseasonal rains during March and April, farmers have incurred huge loss. Paddy and mango crops were lost in thousands of acres. It was reported that many farmers have invested large sums of amount and are now not in a position to repay their debts.
In the current crop season Siddipet district recorded the highest area under paddy in the State, it was sown in about 3.48 lakh acres, according to officials in the Agriculture department. According to preliminary estimates the crop loss due to the unseasonal rains in the last two months would be around 88,000 acres. Officials attribute the crop loss to large scale sowing of paddy. In Medak district the loss was estimated in about 30,000 acres while in Sangareddy district the loss was reportedly limited to 4,000 acres.
At several places paddy that was kept for drying was washed away due to rains. Even at Siddipet market yard the crop brought for sale was washed away. As the paddy procurement was underway, paddy brought to procurement centres was kept in open places and it was totally damaged and at some places the wet paddy has germinated.
