Farmers cultivating rajma beans in parts of Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district are reeling from significant financial losses after unseasonal heavy rains in November severely damaged their crops. The untimely downpour has dashed the hopes of growers, leading to an estimated 50% reduction in yields for this important revenue crop.
Cultivation and the Impact of the Rains
The area under rajma cultivation in the district had been on a positive trajectory, expanding to approximately 10,000 hectares. This made the crop one of the most profitable ventures for the tribal farming communities in the region. Cultivation is primarily concentrated in the hilly mandals, including Chintapalle, GK Veedhi, Munchingiputtu, Pedabayalu, G Madugula, Dumbriguda, and Paderu.
Among the varieties grown, the Chintapalle Red has gained prominence for its adaptability to the local terrain and its distinct, prized flavour. Much of this cultivation is organic, with traders from across the state procuring the beans to supply markets in North India.
However, the promising season took a drastic turn in November. The crop period for rajma is typically 80 to 90 days, from September to November, with harvests expected by December. The heavy rains during this critical period wreaked havoc on the standing crops.
Farmers' Voices and the Scale of Loss
Killo Pandanna, a tribal farmer from Goppilavalasa in Dumbriguda mandal, known locally as "Vittana Mitrudu" (friend of seeds), provided a stark comparison. "The average yield per acre in our locality is usually between 250 to 300 kilograms of rajma beans. Farmers typically earn between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 annually from this crop," he explained. "This year, however, the yield has plummeted to just about 100 to 120 kilograms per acre due to the rain damage."
Echoing this distress, Rama Raju, a grower from Munchingiputtu mandal, highlighted the vulnerability of the crop and the widespread nature of the loss. "Rajma is a sensitive crop; both excessive and insufficient rainfall can damage it," he said. "Hundreds of families in rajma-producing villages have suffered losses due to the low yield caused by the November rains."
Market Consequences and Future Concerns
The sharp drop in production is likely to have ripple effects in the market. K Siva, a trader in the ASR district, pointed out the potential for price increases. "The heavy rains have significantly reduced the rajma yield this season. We can expect the price of rajma, especially the Chintapalle variety, to surge due to the growing gap between demand and supply," he stated.
Currently, a one-kilogram pack of Chintapalle rajma sells for between Rs 120 and Rs 140, depending on quality. With nearly half of India's rajma consumption being met by imports, the damage to a premier domestic organic variety like Chintapalle Red could tighten supply further.
The situation underscores the precarious nature of agricultural livelihoods dependent on specific weather windows. For the tribal farmers of ASR district, the untimely rains have not just washed away crops but also a crucial source of annual income, dealing a severe blow to the local agrarian economy.
