Telangana farmers fight El Nino dry spell with ‘seed pellets’ in Bamdarpally village
Siddipet: As El Nino slows June rainfall and raises fears of delayed sowing across Telangana, farmers in Bamdarpally village of Thoguta mandal are turning to an old technique with new relevance: seed pelletisation to beat moisture stress.
With the monsoon lagging in the first three weeks of June, agriculture experts warn that El Nino conditions bring delayed rains, prolonged dry spells, and poor germination. Instead of waiting passively, farmers here are coating seeds so they sprout only when soil moisture is adequate.
How seed pellets work
Farmers prepare pellets by coating Beejamrutham-treated seeds with layers of clay soil, Ghanajeevamrutham powder, and wood ash. The coating increases seed size three to five times. The clay acts like a “mini sponge,” retaining moisture and keeping seeds viable for up to six months in low-moisture conditions. Pellets can germinate with just 10-15 mm of rainfall and, once sprouted, seedlings withstand water stress for 25 to 40 days. The coating also protects against birds and insects.
“The seed sprouts only when consistent moisture is available, reducing the risk of crop failure,” said Agriculture Extension Officer Nagarjun during an awareness programme at farmer Gandham Rajireddy’s field in Bamdarpally.
Officials advised sowing pellets at 5 cm depth for better germination and uniform crop stand. The uniform size also makes pellets suitable for precision sowing using seeders or drones. Coatings can be enriched with growth regulators, microbes, and micronutrients to build stronger root systems.
Climate-resilient bet
“Everyone is talking about the adverse impact of El Nino. We hope pelletisation will help us overcome the problem because the seed will germinate only when there is sufficient rainfall. This will save both our investment and time,” said Rajireddy.
With red gram sowing approaching, agriculture officials are urging farmers in rain-fed areas to adopt pelletisation to improve crop performance under uncertain weather and strengthen climate resilience.
