Abstract

In the Nellore District, most of the tanks usually receive their full supply of water in October November, after the break of the north-east monsoon. Sometimes, even the Kanigiri and other major reservoirs fed by the Pennar river irrigating nearly one hundred and fifty thousand acres, do not regularly get their full supply of water in July-August. In spite of these uncertain conditions of water supply, ryots persist in cultivating a long duration variety of rice called Molagulukulu for the reason that it sells at a comparatively high price and its quality is good. The yield of Molagulukulu when planted in July-August is high. However, its yield under late-planted condition is poor, and such late planted crops are invariably susceptible to the disease known as 'blast' (Piricularia oryzae) which is more or less endemic in the district. Consequently, ryots are forced to cultivate an inferior coarse variety of red rice known as Isvarakora or be contented with growing a crop of ragi, or other dry crops even though water is available in plenty late in the season. The demand for Molagulukulu rice, otherwise known as Nellore rice, in the market from upper and middle class people of the towns of the Southern and Central districts of the Madras Presidency is steady throughout the year. In the interest of the rice growers of the Nellore district and consumers in the urban areas of the Presidency, it is very neces- sary to increase the total output of Molagulukulu crop, as otherwise limited production would either tend to increase the price of this high class rice, or when price trend is downward, would lead to adulteration of the limited good quality rice with cheap inferior quality rices.

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