Steps to prevent crop submergence announced

Special Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperation departments, Budithi Rajasekhar, announced on Tuesday that the government is considering a permanent solution to prevent agricultural fields from being submerged by floodwaters every year.
During a visit to Tadepalligudem Rural mandal, Rajasekhar assessed the affected crops in Nandamuru, Arulla, Nawabupalem, Jagannadhapuram, Madhavaram, and Apparaopeta in West Godavari district.
Accompanied by State Agriculture Director Delhi Rao, District Collector C Nagarani, and MLA Bolisetti Srinivas, he inspected the damage and interacted with local farmers.
Farmers voiced their concerns about the significant crop losses they endure annually due to floods and rains, requesting a permanent solution to this issue. They also highlighted their interest in cultivating the PR 126 variety of rice, which has a shorter crop duration. However, they are currently forced to sell through middlemen due to the lack of government approval for this variety at grain procurement centres.
The farmers urged the government to allow official procurement of the PR 126 variety and to provide immediate compensation for the current crop damage. Rajasekhar assured them that his visit aimed to draw the government’s attention to the flood-affected fields and to direct officials to prepare detailed reports on the crop damage. He promised that the government would consider ways to provide compensation once the details are received.
Acknowledging the breaches in embankments caused by annual rains and floods, Rajasekhar emphasised that the government is committed to finding a permanent solution. He advised farmers to cultivate short-duration rice varieties in flood-prone fields and pledged to coordinate with the Civil Supplies and Agriculture Departments to establish grain procurement centres in Tadepalligudem in advance, eliminating the need for middlemen.
Rajasekhar reassured farmers of the government’s support and urged them not to worry. He also mentioned the regulations of the SDRF and NDRF regarding crop loss subsidies and said the government is considering providing input subsidies.
Later, Rajasekhar inspected the collapsed bridge over the Errakalava between Madhavaram and Kamalapuram, which has not been reconstructed since it was washed away four years ago. Farmers pointed out a temporary road set up for transportation below the collapsed bridge.