Rainfall trend, distribution and its role on crop yields in rainfed areas of Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh - A Case study

Abstract

Rainfall is the only source of water /soil moisture for most of the crops in the rain fed areas and is the most important climatic factor for crop production in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. Rain is meager in Kharif season and very unevenly distributed. As a result, there is no assured Kharif crop in this area. However, due to good rain, Rabi crop season (September to February) only promises an assured crop. It is essential to plan agriculture on a scientific basis for making best use of rainfall pattern of this area. Chickpea and tobacco are important rabi crops in the rainfed area grown from October to February (N.E monsoon). The yield and quality of these crops is dependent on the quantity and distribution of rainfall during the cropping period. In recent years, the quality of produce of rabi crops is not maintained leading to large scale economic loss to the farmers in this area.