Fund delay hits kharif cultivation

Delay in release of funds under Rythu Bandhu scheme has dampened the spirits of farmers. Financial crunch and proposed changes in the Rythu Bandhu norms are said to be major reasons for the delay.

According to official sources, `75,000 crore is required for Rythu Bandhu payments.

Usually, farmers begin agriculture operations for the kharif season from May. They need financial support to buy seeds, fertiliers and pay labour. A lorry of organic fertiliser, costs `20,000. With no funds from the government, the farmers are forced to approach private moneylenders, who charge high interest rates. A few traders take rights over the yield.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, S. Tirupati, a farmer from Armoor in Nizamabad district said they were forced to take hand loans from private moneylenders to begin kharif season works. There is no meaning in extending Rythu Bandhu aid late, he said.

When contacted, an agriculture officer, on condition of anonymity, said she had not yet got any orders from the higher-ups.

“A few farmers are asking us about release of funds, but we have no answer,” she told Deccan Chronicle. Last kharif season, release of funds began on June 5 for farmers with less than one acre, she explained.

Meanwhile, farmers in undivided Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Medak, Nalgonda and other districts began kharif season works. The officials of meteorological department said rains would begin in the next three days. A few farmers started agriculture works depending on submersible pump sets.