Kharif sowing yet to pick up

Low rains in Bagepalli and Srinivaspur taluks has affected groundnut crop

The land which are prepared for the sowing activities wear a deserted look. Groundnut sowing has been slowed down putting the farmers at risk. Groundnut cultivation occupies 80 per cent of the crop grown in the taluk.

The sowing operation in the taluk has been completely stopped owing to gusty winds, cloudy weather and lack of adequate rainfall.

Groundnut seeds which are stocked for the the sowing purpose are rotting in the bags. Nearly, 34,050 hectares of land in the taluk is fit for cultivation. Monocot crops are grown in 11,300 hectares of land, dicot crops in 3,270 hectares and groundnut is cultivated in 20,000 hectares of land.

Among the commercial crop grown in the taluk groundnut has the lion’s share.
When compared to previous 10 years the taluk till now should have received 166 mm of rainfall. But it has recorded just 100 mm of rainfall, a shortage of 60 mm of rain.

Unevenly distributed

 The rainfall is also not evenly distributed. If, in some areas lakes are full, some areas are yet to receive rain. As the soil has lost moisture, farmers have not yet undertaken sowing activities.

The farmers having made all preparations to sow the seeds of groundnut are desperately waiting for the rains. But if rain god does not show mercy even after two weeks, farmers will be forced to migrate foregoing cultivation.

Farmers while expressing their fears over their future said, “ the end of groundnut sowing season has also pushed us to an virtual end.”

Srinivaspur

The farming activities have taken back seat in the taluk owning to lack of rains. Though many farmers have already started the cultivation by getting the land ready. The truant rain has spoiled their hopes. Farmers who went head with the groundnut sowing are now repenting as the crops are withering due to lack of rains.

The mango fervour is now over in the taluk which is know for mango cultivation. The farm labourers who were earlier engaged in plucking the mangoes are now ready for farm work but their is job as their is no rains in the region.

The farmers who own oxen have have already begun the cultivation process utilising the rains which had earlier lashed the region and have sown ragi and groundnut.

However, due to the heavy demand of tractors during the mango season many farmers had not started the sowing. Though tractors were available now the elusive rains have hindered farming activity.

The Rayalpadu and Mudimadagu villages on the border of the taluk had received scanty rains. But the farmers had sown the groundnut crop. But in the absence of rains their crop which has just sprouted is now withering away.

Horticulture crops affected

Even the farmers who are irrigating their land using borewells have found situation tough due to irregular power supply.

As a result  horticultural  crops like tomato, cabbage, capsicum and others have been affected.

Seed shortage

The agriculture department is repeatedly announcing that there is no shortage of seeds in Bagepalli.

But the statistical details provided by the department tells a different tale. The supply of seeds is in no way accordance to the demand.

The government has supplied 2,475 quintal of groundnut as against the demand of 4,800 quintal put forth by the department. 570 quintal of maize is supplied as against 1,076 quintal demanded, 81 quintal of turdal as against 310 quintal, 10.95 quintal of sunflower seeds as against 45 quintal demanded.

As a result the farmers are forced to depend on private sellers and black market. Even though the farmers have made all arrangements overcoming the difficulties, rain god is yet to shower mercy.

According to Agriculture department Assistant Director Dr Shivanagaiaiah, the department has made arrangements for cultivation of alternate crops in case of failure of rain in the taluk.