Why Anantapur?
Located in southern Andhra Pradesh in South India, Anantapur receives the
least rainfall in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The rainfall is second lowest in
India, averaging at 522 mm annually. It is one of the poorest districts in the
country.
Anantapur farmers are largely dependent on drought-prone, rain-fed
agriculture, and mostly a single crop of groundnut is sown under such harsh and
agro climatic conditions. Of its geographical area of 19,00,000 ha, 10,00,000 ha
are rain-fed while only about 1,00,000 ha are irrigated, that too mostly through
undependable tube wells and tanks.
With virtually no other industry, Anantapur backwardness and poverty are well
indicated in its severe rural indebtedness, high seasonal migration and highest
number of farmer's suicides in the country. About 20 per cent of the population
comprises dalits and tribals, and 60 per cent comprises of backward communities.
Malnutrition, illiteracy, illness, deprivation, caste and gender discrimination
are rampant. Added to these social divisions, crime and discord between various
factions and groups are common in the district. And these aspects clearly
provide an answer to the question of, 'Why Anantapur?'
In the above circumstances, AF has taken it as a big challenge to work and show results in such a harsh agro-climatic and socio economic conditions. AF see it as an opportunity to make a difference. We believe that success in Anantapur district is a recipe for any other area.
Relevance of Sustainable Agriculture in Anantapur District
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Predominance of 93% with Small and Marginal farmers (5.6 lakhs out of 6
lakhs farmers) |
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Predominance of 90% land under Rainfed conditions (10 lakh ha., out of
11 lakh ha.) |
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Chronically drought prone with three drought years out of every five
years due to low and erratic rainfall |
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Predominance of red gravelly shallow soils with poor moisture retention
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No-viability of high-tech, high cost, chemical based mechanized
agriculture due to small holdings and poverty |
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Lack of forest cover and vegetation across the district together with
low and erratic rainfall rendering poor in natural resources |
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High pressure on groundwater resources and overexploitation leading to unsustainable and undependable irrigation even under 10% of cultivated area |