Abstract

Paddy is the most important food crop of India covering about one-fourth of the total cropped area and providing food to about half of the Indian population. This is the staple food of the people living in the eastern and the southern parts of the country, particularly in the areas having over 150 cm annual rainfall. There are about 10,000 varieties of rice in the world out of which about 4,000 are grown in India

Rice is the Principal food crop cultivated throughout the state providing food for its growing population fodder to the cattle and employment to the rural masses. Any decline in its hectarage and production will have a perceivable impact on the state’s economy and food security. In A.P rice is mostly cultivated under irrigated eco-system under Canals (52%), Tube Wells (19.31) Tanks (16.2%), other Wells (8.8%) and other sources (3.7%).

In Andhra Pradesh rice is the major food crop grown in 34.59 lakh hectares producing 144.0 lakh.t in both Kharif and Rabi seasons with an average productivity of 3.29 t/ha during 2012- 13. At national level A.P is contributing 12.7% of rice production with 9.08% rice area. The increase in rice area, production and productivity mainly depends on the rainfall and availability of irrigation.

KEY WORDS: Paddy, Cultivation, Prices of Paddy, Farmers Problems