Farming activities gaining momentum in Somwarpet taluk

 Farming activities have gained momentum in paddy fields and coffee plantations as rain has receded in the taluk.

Farmers have purchased saplings of fruit-bearing and shady trees to be grown in the plantations as Pushpagiri, Bettadalli and Mallalli received less rain over the last few days.

Ramesh, a farmer, said transplantation of paddy saplings is delayed due to late rain.
“Good yield can be expected if the transplantation of saplings gets completed in the second week of July. Mist can pose a threat otherwise,” he added.

Farmers at Bettadalli, Haraga, Kotnalli, Kudigana and other villages in Shantalli hobli are engaged in transplantation activities. They are hopeful of completing the work within the next 15 days. They cultivate IR 64 along with local varieties of paddy such as Dodda Bhatta and Bilakki.

Many farmers are, however, opting out of paddy cultivation due to labour problem.
Dharmappa, a farmer of Handli village, said the Agriculture Department should provide more compensation for crop loss and should also encourage paddy cultivation.