Livelihoods of Dokur village, Andhra Pradesh

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Weather and Climate
The village of Dokur is drought prone and represents the semi-arid tropics. The annual maximum temperature in summer, March till June, in the village is around 45°C, while the minimum temperature is 20° C. The winter, October till February, are pleasant in means of temperature, which lie between the 13 and 30°C. July till September is the tropical rain season. The state of Andhra Pradesh receives a high amount of rainfall during this period of time, although the amount of rainfall has been decreased over the years. For about a third of the rainfall is brought by the North-East Monsoons. The normal rainfall in the village is 730 mm, distributed erratically. Uneven distribution of rainfall is affecting critical stages of crop cultivation have become commonplace in the recent years.

Water is essential to transport the nutrients. If there is a lack of nutrients the leaves will turn yellow, and will no longer be able to support the transpiration process of the crop. The vesicles, which the crop uses for transpiration, will become clogged and the crop will get damaged due to overheating. The climate of the state Andhra Pradesh, where the village Dokur is located, is generally hot and humid. The factor determining the climate of the state is played by the South-West Monsoons.

The graph, figure 3, illustrates the monthly rainfall in millimetres over a period of time that has been measured form 1975 until 1981, and then from 2005 until 2008. The graph shows that the rain season is disrupted over the years. Not only the amount of rainfall, significantly decreased, also the period of time in which rain falls in high percentages has changed.

Usually the rain season (the monsoon), takes place...

... middle of paper ...

... the land throughout the village. Eight of these bore wells are used for drinking water and sanitation purposes. The village has access to water throughout the year, but it has to cope with the fact of water becoming scarce.

Fertiliser and pesticides
Fertilisers and pesticides are not available in the village itself, although it is available in the nearest town. The adoption of hybrid and improved seed technologies, the use of chemical fertilisers and plant protection measures, mechanization (use of tractors, sprinkler irrigation and power sprayers) and soil and water conservation measures, have been contributing significantly, to increase farm productivity. Genetically modified seeds have been adopted in the village, including Sona Masuri and Hamsa in paddy, GCH-4 in castor and LRG-11, LRG-41, PRG-158, ICPL-87119, ICPH-2671 and ICP-8863 (Maruti) in pigeon pea.

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