Downpour of Damages

They had sown their dreams there! Poor farmers, they prepared the ground, cleared the weeds, cleaned it by smearing pesticides. Their fields were rich with wheat, ragi, maize and many more. They thought they would reap it, dry it and sell it for a big fortune - and clear most of their debts.


Everything was fine till they received this bolt from the blue – unseasonal rains. The heavy downpour shattered their dreams, the rich crop they had planned to harvest in a few days lay flat on the ground.

Unseasonal rains in the middle of March this year, accompanied with thunder and fury, has caused damage as severe as it did in September last year. While corn and maize lost their golden armour and turned grey, cotton sucked water. Groundnut, sunflower and many other crops also met the same destiny.

It was unbearable for the farmer who had still not recovered from the loss caused by the downpour in September last year when a flood-like situation was created across North Karnataka. Even border areas in Gadag district, which are usually drought-hit, were inundated. Not only crops, but domestic animals, houses and some of the villagers also became victims of rain ravages.

But what remained intact was farmers’ hope. They sowed the seed once the rain receded and sunny days began.
For the farmers who suffered severe drought in 2006-07, rain should have been a remedy, but it turned to be a bane with its fury.

Siddaiah Hiremath


Coffee sans flavour

Unseasonal rain in March, following a drizzle in February, only added to the woes of coffee growers. Shortage of labour and a slash in prices have left the coffee growers in despair. The recent rain only added to their problems.

A week-long rain in February prevented the growers from harvesting coffee berries and affected the healthy growth of blossoms. In order to avoid damaging the buds, the growers delayed harvesting the fruits then.

When the rain resumed in March, they were helpless. The ripened coffee fruits fell on the ground and some developed cracks and dried up. Besides, the rain that continued for over a week didn’t leave any chance for harvesting. About 30 per cent of the beans harvested earlier started sprouting and rotted.

The robusta coffee beans will not fetch them any fortune, as the price of such beans is considerably less. Now, with these beans also rotting due to heavy rainfall, the farmers are in a fix. 

Another disturbing issue is the fruit drop due to the downpour. Collecting berries fallen on the ground during rains is a Herculean task. But these fruits can’t be left in the field as it will lead to attacks by pests, including borers and termites. They not only eat these berries but also cause damage to plants.

Over 50 per cent flowers blossomed following the rain in February. However, in March, they could not pollinate as the rain played havoc again. With this, the growers’ hope for yield in the coming days was also lost.
In the previous year, nearly 50 per cent of the crop succumbed to the rot disease. This year, as rain played spoilsport, it has become difficult for growers even to clear their debts, says Coffee Growers’ Association convenor B K Laxman Kumar.

Now the growers are left in the lurch. They are looking forward to compensation from the government for crop loss. According to Laxman Kumar, measures like waiving off loans may help the farmers heave a sigh of relief.

Achchanahalli Suchetana

(Translated by Malathi Belur)