Paddy Cultivation Surges in Karimnagar Despite Government Advice

Farmers in a region called Karimnagar grow paddy, which is rice.

This year there has been less rain than normal, so the government told farmers not to grow paddy because it needs a lot of water.

But heavy rain at the end of July encouraged many farmers to plant paddy anyway.

So far, paddy has been planted on 2.26 lakh acres, which is a very large area, and planting is still going on.

The government has decided that water from irrigation projects will be used only for drinking, not for watering crops.

Rainfall so far has been much less than the normal amount for the season.

One farmer said the recent rains can keep the standing crop alive for about a month, after which it will need more water.

A scientist said the next three months are critical for the crop.

If rain falls once in a fortnight, the crop should be fine, but long dry spells could reduce the harvest and increase pests.