Cyclone Montha has caused damage to cauliflower crops in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Krishna district, leading to reported losses among growers. Rains associated with the cyclone affected fields in parts of Penamaluru mandal, damaging the 90-day crop during the curd formation stage. Farmers are estimated to have cultivated cauliflower on about 40.5 hectares in Krishna district, mostly around Penamaluru. The Horticulture Department is assessing the losses in Krishna and other areas.
Cauliflower is typically grown as a winter crop. Farmers invest ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per acre (₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per 0.40 hectares), which is approximately US$600 to US$720, and under normal conditions expect returns of ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per acre (₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per 0.40 hectares), equal to about US$1,200 to US$1,800. Farmers such as Sk. Basha and Sheik Mastan Vali said cultivation costs ranged from ₹45,000 to ₹70,000 per acre (₹45,000 to ₹70,000 per 0.40 hectares), or US$540 to US$840, depending on tenancy charges. "If the crop turns out well, we earn about ₹1.5 lakh per acre. But after this rain, we're not sure if we can even recover ₹40,000," said Basha. Mastan Vali, who leased 0.6 hectares, reported losses of nearly ₹1 lakh, or US$1,200. He noted that they supply both local shops and wholesale markets and that expected yields and prices were strong before the rains.
Another farmer, Dasari Seetaiah from Penamaluru, said about 12 to 16 hectares in his village were under cauliflower cultivation, with individual holdings between 0.4 and 1.2 hectares. "On average, one acre yields 15,000 to 16,000 flowers. Some even get up to 20,000 when conditions are good," he said. Cauliflower is usually planted after turmeric or ladies' finger and followed by maize. Tenant farmers pay ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per acre (₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per 0.40 hectares) annually as rent, equivalent to US$480 to US$600. Income typically ranges from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per acre (₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per 0.40 hectares), or US$1,200 to US$1,800, depending on yield and market rates.
District Horticulture Officer J. Jyothi said around 90.96 hectares of vegetables were cultivated in the district this season, with 40.5 hectares under cauliflower, yielding nearly 25 tons per hectare. Farmers plan to take up the Namdhari hybrid variety for the second crop, targeting the January to February market. Loss assessments are ongoing. "Curd (flower) formation should be above 33 per cent; otherwise it won't be counted as a loss, as farmers can take up another crop immediately," said Jyothi.
Most cauliflower in the region is grown during the rabi season from September to February. Early and off-season varieties are also cultivated to maintain supply. Many farmers are now preparing land for maize cultivation.
Source: The Hindu
