Karimnagar farmers in distress as prolonged dry spell hits cotton crop

Farmers in Karimnagar, India, are grappling with a lot of stress as a long dry spell has affected their cotton crops. With rainfall 19 per cent below average compared to last year's surplus, the agricultural outlook is grim. Particularly vulnerable is the district's second most cultivated crop, cotton. Many farmers, encouraged by early monsoon forecasts and a boosted minimum support price (MSP), sowed cotton a month ago. However, the subsequent lack of rain has caused widespread seed wilting due to overheating soil. While some farmers have attempted to re-sow, others have been forced to abandon their crops, facing substantial losses. Even in areas with black soil where some seeds germinated, rampant weed growth is adding to farmers' burdens.

Despite official assurances that timely completion of planting by month-end could mitigate major yield impact, the current conditions are dire. The agriculture department projected cotton  cultivation on 48,000 acre for the current season, but these targets are now at risk due to the relentless dry spell. The coming weeks will be critical for Karimnagar's agricultural community.