Telangana Kharif sowing marred by urea shortage, farmers worried

Telangana’s Kharif season began on a strong note with excess rainfall boosting sowing beyond last year’s figures. But a growing urea shortage now threatens paddy crops, with experts warning of up to 50 per cent yield loss due to nitrogen deficiency

Hyderabad: Telangana’s Kharif season has shown promising progress, with 23 of the State’s 33 districts receiving excess rainfall ranging from 20 to 59 per cent, according to the latest agricultural data. This widespread rainfall, totalling 852.4 mm against a normal of 923.8 mm, has given a major boost to sowing, extending crops like cotton and maize even to rainfed areas. However, the urea crisis threatens to undermine paddy cultivation, raising concerns among farmers and agricultural experts.

As of September 17, Kharif sowing has exceeded last year’s figures, driven by favourable rainfall.

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Paddy, a staple crop, has been sown across 67,04,440 acres, achieving 107.31 per cent of the season’s normal area of 62,47,868 acres, compared to 66,78,312 acres last year. Maize sowing has also surged, covering 6,41,844 acres against a normal of 5,21,206 acres, reaching 123.15 per cent of the expected area. The sowing pace, which was sluggish until mid-August, gained momentum by the last week of August due to consistent rainfall.

However, post-transplantation challenges have emerged, with a growing urea crisis posing a threat to crop health and yield. Urea, a critical nitrogen fertiliser, is essential for paddy, a heavy nitrogen consumer, according to a senior faculty member from the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University. He noted that the tillering process, in which plants produce additional shoots or stems (tillers) from the base of the plant, is at risk. Nitrogen supplements help tillers grow in adequate numbers alongside the main stem and develop their own roots, leaves, and eventually seed heads, increasing the plant’s yield potential.

Farmers in districts like Maripeda (Mahabubabad) and Miryalaguda (Nalgonda) are reporting early signs of nitrogen deficiency in paddy fields. Symptoms include yellowing of older leaves, starting from the tips. Affected plants exhibit stunted growth, reduced tillering, delayed maturity, and uneven ripening. In severe cases, leaves may turn brown and die, leading to sparse growth.

Agricultural experts warn that without adequate urea, paddy yields could drop by 20 to 50 per cent or more, depending on soil conditions, crop variety, and environmental factors. “Nitrogen deficiency during critical growth stages like tillering can severely impact productivity and grain quality,” said a senior faculty member from the Agricultural University.

The urea crisis has left farmers anxious, particularly in flood-prone areas where nitrogen deficiency can escalate rapidly. While the State’s robust sowing figures reflect a positive start to the Kharif season, the fertiliser shortage could jeopardise these gains.

• Telangana received 852.4 mm of rainfall, with 23 of 33 districts experiencing 20-59% excess
• Urea shortage threatens paddy crops, which require high nitrogen for optimal yield
• Farmers in areas like Maripeda and Miryalaguda report yellowing leaves
• Nitrogen deficiency during critical tillering stages could reduce paddy yields by 20-50%
• Nitrogen deficiency in flood-prone areas can severely impact crops