Week-long rains have revived the hopes of farmers in Andhra Pradesh, with rainfall deficit coming down to just 6 per cent from 24 per cent a fortnight ago.

Barring Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa and Anantapur districts, other regions received bountiful rain during July 19 to 25, registering an excess rainfall of 5 per cent.

However, the as-on-date figures show there is a huge shortfall of 8 lakh hectares in the area to be sown. By now, the farmers would have sown in 47 lakh ha. But according to the latest figures, sowings were completed only in 39 lakh ha.

Paddy, however, continues to be the worst-hit among the major crops. It is sown only in 3.5 lakh ha against the average as-on-date area of 5.60 lakh ha.

On the other hand, cotton area has gone up significantly. Farmers grew cotton in 16.14 lakh ha against the normal area of 12.32 lakh ha, registering a growth of 131 per cent.

kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in