Paddy farmers and officials inspect agricultural fields along the Peekaleru irrigation drain in Allavaram mandal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
The paddy farmers of Thadikona village have declared a crop holiday in 189 acres, alleging government inaction in preventing encroachments and carrying out widening and desilting of the Peekaleru irrigation drain in Allavaram mandal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. The farmers have also cited the growing threat of saline water from aquaculture ponds surrounding the drain entering their paddy fields.
The collective decision drew public attention after the farmers erected flex banners in their fields on August 3, demanding immediate government intervention to address their grievances.
As of August 4, the farmers had neither raised paddy nurseries nor begun cultivation in nearly 200 acres along the banks of the Peekaleru drain during the ongoing Kharif 2026-27 season.
Responding to the farmers’ protest, District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar deputed a team of officials. Led by District Agriculture Officer M. V. Rama Rao, officials from the Agriculture, Aquaculture, Water Resources (Drains Wing) and Revenue departments visited the village and held discussions with both paddy and aquaculture farmers on Tuesday.
During the inspection, the farmers showed the officials how blockages in the Peekaleru drain had led to inundation of agricultural fields. The officials observed silt accumulation in the drain and seepage of water from adjoining aquaculture ponds into nearby paddy fields.
The farmers reiterated their demand for a fresh revenue and irrigation survey, desilting and widening of the drain, and action against unauthorised aquaculture ponds surrounding the agricultural lands.
“The paddy farmers have demanded desilting and widening of the Peekaleru irrigation drain and regulation of aquaculture activities. They have also raised concerns over encroachments on the drain and the entry of saline water into paddy fields,” District Agriculture Officer M. V. Rama Rao told The Hindu.
The officials assured the farmers that their grievances would be addressed and appealed to them to withdraw the proposed crop holiday.
Published – August 04, 2026 08:37 pm IST
