AP’s average paddy yield lower than Punjab and TN

By Uma Maheshwar Rao

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh, known for its vast paddy acreage, is facing a significant shortfall in paddy production, according to its production figures.

The state’s average paddy yield between 2017-18 and 2021-22 stood at 3,149 kg per hectare, which was substantially lower compared to the yields of Punjab (4,248 kg/ha), Tamil Nadu (3,491 kg/ha), and Haryana (3,308 kg/ha).

This yield gap of 1,099 kg/ha compared to Punjab translates to a 25.7% reduction. This indicates that despite Andhra Pradesh’s prominence in paddy acreage, there is significant room for improvement in output per hectare through the implementation of better practices and targeted interventions.

The state also faces a striking deficiency in red gram production, with a yield of only 347 kg/ha, while Kerala achieves an impressive 1,632 kg/ha. The yield gap of 1,285 kg/ha represents a staggering 78.7% shortfall, highlighting severe inefficiencies in red gram cultivation in Andhra Pradesh.

This disparity calls for targeted interventions to bridge the gap and boost red gram productivity in the state.

Similarly, Andhra Pradesh lags behind in maize, groundnut, and cotton production. The state’s maize yield stands at 4,098 kg/ha, which, although relatively high, is significantly lower than Telangana’s impressive yield of 8,001 kg/ha. The resulting yield gap of 3,903 kg/ha indicates a nearly 48.8% deficit, pointing to the urgent need for enhanced agricultural practices and technological advancements to improve maize productivity in Andhra Pradesh.

Groundnut yields in the state are recorded at 785 kg/ha, which is far behind Tamil Nadu’s yield of 2,291 kg/ha, resulting in a substantial gap of 1,506 kg/ha (65.7%). These low production levels necessitate a thorough reevaluation of cultivation methods, inputs, and technological innovations to boost groundnut productivity in Andhra Pradesh.

In the cotton sector, Andhra Pradesh performs relatively better, producing 518 kg/ha, which is close to Punjab’s 698 kg/ha. The yield gap of 180 kg/ha (25.8%) is not as significant as in other crops, but there still remains room for enhancement in the state’s cotton production.

G Nayana Babu of AP farmers’ association said that Andhra Pradesh faces considerable yield gaps across various crops when compared to the leading states in India.

“To address these challenges and enhance agricultural productivity, the state must focus on targeted interventions, such as adopting improved farming practices, leveraging better technology, and implementing efficient resource management strategies. By bridging these yield gaps, Andhra Pradesh can unlock its true potential in the agricultural sector and ensure better livelihoods for its farmers,” said Nayana Babu.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.