Agriculture activities in the district have been intensified, owing to moderate rainfall from past one week. Nearly 40 per cent of the sowing activities has already been completed and within two days about 90 per cent of the sowing would be completed.
In the month of June 48.8 mm of rainfall had been recorded. However, traditionally the region should have had a rainfall of 77.5 mm.
However, the previous year the district had a rainfall of 127.93 mm. This time the region has received low rainfall. Moreover, until July 20 the district received 52.7 mm of rainfall. However, according to general speculations the region should receive 101 mm of rains, the farmers have speculated.
On July 19 night the taluk received good rains. Kasaba hobli   got 30.4 mm, Varadahalli region received 12.2 mm, while Mandikal region received  52.7 mm of rainfall. As the Mandikal region has received good rains this time, sowing activities is in full swing.
Groundnut
Moreover, traditionally groundnuts is grown in large quantities in Mandikal region. Farmers have readied nearly thousand hectare of land for the cultivation of groundnuts. Also, groundnuts have already been sown in nearly 695 hectare of lands.
However, in other regions ragi is a predominant crop. Also, maize, toor and other crops are grown as mixed crops in the region.
Moreover, last year due to insufficient rains we had to suffer great loss. However, this year we expect good rains  and thereby better harvest, said Narayan swamy of Gondahalli village.
Also, this year the agriculture department will be providing  308 quintal of ragi, 3.56 quintal of paddy, 14.7 quintal of maize, 43.9 quintal of toor, 204.9 quintal of   groundnuts to small and medium farmers at 75 per cent discount.
Crop  Insurance
Crop insurance will be provided to rain fed crops like ragi, toor, maize, groundnut and others. The farmers have been requested to insure their crops within August 31, said Assistant Agriculture Director Dr Sumitramma.
They should make better use of the opportunities provided. Farmers should complete sowing activities within August 31 and insure their crops, she added.