Farmers play an important role towards the development of the country. However, we often hear about cases where these farmers are exploited by middlemen and lenders. In India, rice is a crop that is widely harvested across the country. It holds a significant importance in our daily diet. Different varieties of rice are harvested in different corners of the country. One such place which is known for a special kind of rice is Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The variety we are talking about is Sona Masuri rice. It is widely grown in the district of Kurnool and is also harvested in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The people of the district heavily depend on farming for survival. The Kurnool district is very much draught-prone. During the challenging times, farming Sona Masuri rice gives some relief to the farmers. This is due to the perfect climatic conditions, this region has emerged as a significant producer of this variety of rice.
Sona Masuri rice has been certified as a premium variety by the International Rice Research Institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines. However, despite such recognition, the production of this variety has fallen significantly. Earlier, around 1.5 lakh acres of land near the K.C. Canal were used to harvest Sona Masuri rice. But currently, due to inadequate irrigation water supply from the canal, the harvest has significantly decreased. While talking to Local 18, a local farmer mentioned that now the variety of rice is cultivated in just 70,000 to 1 lakh acres of land.
The farmer also expressed concern over the delayed release of water for irrigation, which has resulted in late planting and increased crop diseases, further reducing the yield. The farmers of the area requested the government to address their issues and provide proper support prices to help them sustain their livelihoods. Sona Masuri rice is also grown in regions of Nandyala, Allagadda, Srisailam and Nandikotkur, particularly during the Kharif season.
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