Hyderabad: Cotton crop losses have deepened across Bhupalpally district after heavy rains damaged fields and halted plant growth.
Farmers had cultivated cotton hoping to clear their debts this year. However, persistent rain has damaged crops and raised fresh concerns about yields and farm income.
More than 1,06,800 acres carry cotton crops across Bhupalpally district. Meanwhile, Kataram mandal recorded the highest area under cultivation at 14,800 acres.
At the start of the Kharif season, farmers received scattered rainfall. Therefore, many expanded cotton cultivation after expecting better returns from the crop.
However, recent heavy rains changed the situation. Continuous showers left fields waterlogged and softened the soil across several areas.
Water remained in cotton fields for days after the heavy rainfall. As a result, the plants began turning red and stopped growing properly.
Farmers had already spent up to Rs.30,000 on each acre. Now, they fear that the crop may not even recover their investment this season.
The damage also occurred during a crucial stage of plant development. Heavy rainfall at that time affected growth and left farmers worried about the final yield.
Weed growth has also increased in several cotton fields because of the excessive moisture. Farmers used weed-control chemicals, which they said further affected soil fertility.
Cotton crop losses threaten returns after repeated rain
The plants have failed to grow beyond one foot in many fields. Consequently, farmers face difficulties in achieving the growth needed for a good harvest.
Farmers had planned to apply urea and complex fertilisers to support plant growth. Yet, frequent rainfall prevented them from applying fertilisers at the required time.
They also spent money on pesticides to protect the crop from insects. However, repeated showers disrupted these efforts and increased the financial burden on cultivators.
In addition, farmers said continuous rainfall has created uncertainty over the crop’s future. They had expected cotton to provide stronger returns during this Kharif season.
Instead, cotton crop losses have become a major concern across the district. Farmers now fear that the money already spent on cultivation may not return.
Last year, many cotton growers suffered losses because of poor yields. This year, they face another setback after heavy rains damaged crops during their growth stage.
Therefore, farmers say they need favourable weather conditions for the crop to recover. Without improvement in weather conditions, they fear that cotton cultivation may again fail to provide adequate returns.
The repeated setbacks have added pressure on farmers who entered the season hoping to repay existing debts. For now, heavy rainfall remains the biggest threat to their cotton crop and expected income.