Nagavali River Paddy Cultivation and East Coast Agriculture

The Nagavali river flowing through Vizianagaram district irrigates significant paddy cultivation areas on the Andhra coastal plain. The river's delta supports the traditional kharif paddy crop in bunded fields along the river's lower reaches. Vizianagaram district's paddy varieties include the BPT 5204 (Sona Masuri) and the traditional Jeela (glutinous rice) used for making idli and dosa in Telugu households. The Thotapalli Barrage on the Nagavali near Kalingapatnam creates a tidal regulator for the coastal backwater system. Traditional fishing communities along the Nagavali use traditional raft boats (kattumaram) and cast nets. Paddy straw management in Vizianagaram — chopping the straw into fields rather than burning — preserves soil carbon and reduces air pollution.