JOIN USFarmers who had begun sowing activities hoping of good rain are disappointed with monsoon failure in the district.
The rainfall which was high in the month of April is now decreased in June.
Almost 18 per cent of sowing activities are completed but 50 per cent of the crop has been destroyed, said joint director of Agricultural department B Shivaraju.
Usually district records a rainfall of 58 millimetres during April but this year it was 154.8 millimetres which is 266 per cent higher. Farmers started with agricultural activities in the month of May never expecting failure of downpour.
The rainfall which would be 106 millimetres during the month recorded just 52.9 millimetres this year. No taluk had sufficient rainfall during the month of May. Sakaleshpur and Arsikere have received 13 per cent of the expected rain.
The rainfall which had to reach 118 millimetres in month of June has again left farmers with just 11 per cent of the rain.
In district, 12,040 hectare is sowed with green gram, black gram in 2675 hectare, black gram in 1040 hectare, maize in 9600 hectare, hybrid variety of maize in 2350 hectare, black-eyed pea in 10,120 hectare, sesame in 3250 hectares and tobacco in 5060 hectares are sowed.
Tobacco sowed is very low compared to last year. Various crops in 2.55 lakh hectare of land is grown in district and 18 per cent of the activity is completed already.
Agricultural department has estimated failure of rainfall has resulted destruction of more than 50 per cent of crops.