Tur dal prices are likely to rise in the next few months as an estimated 35 per cent of the standing crop in Kalaburagi, the tur bowl of Karnataka, has been destroyed due to extreme weather.
Credit: iStock photo
Kalaburagi: Tur dal prices are likely to rise in the next few months as an estimated 35 per cent of the standing crop in Kalaburagi, the tur bowl of Karnataka, has been destroyed due to extreme weather.
While Karnataka is the country's top tur dal producer, Kalaburagi contributes 60 per cent of the state's production.
Three months after excess rainfall hit the crop in Kalaburagi district, low moisture has now led to crops drying up. November rainfall deficit of more than 75 per cent has dealt a severe blow to farmers and may further hit production.
Farmers estimate that tur crop on two lakh hectares has been destroyed. The crop was sown on six lakh hectares in the district. Crop in Bidar, Yadgir, Vijayapura and Raichur districts have also been affected.
While excess moisture in September meant crops took 25 more days to flower, moisture deficit in shallow and medium-depth soils in the last one month destroyed crops which had reached pod-setting and seed-filling stage.
Agriculture officials say dry root rot and Phytophthora blight diseases have hit 25 to 40% of the crop. Officials and scientists have visited farms and suggested measures to save the existing crops.
Drought and floods in the last three years have left farmers is distress with the average yield falling from 1,027 kg/hectare in 2020-21 to 873 kg/hectare last year. Tur is grown on 6.06 lakh hectares of the 8.9 lakh hectares in Kalaburagi district this year. Deputy commissioner Fouzia Taranum has ordered a joint survey of the crop.
"Tur plants have come under stress due to absence of moisture during the critical reproductive stage. The district has received only 5 mm rainfall against the normal 20 mm in November. We will soon visit the field to assess the damage," agriculture department joint director Samad Patel said.
Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangh district president Sharanabasappa Mamashetty has urged the government to provide a special package to farmers. "Compensation should be paid and crop insurance must be provided," he added.