Delay in rain worries agri dept

Higher ups ask officials to take help of scientists

 In the backdrop of delay in rainfall, the state government has directed the Agriculture officials to hold discussion with the Agriculture Science Centre before guiding the farmers.

In a video conference, Agriculture department Principal Secretary Bharath Lal Meena, Development Commissioner Kaushik Mukherjee, Commissioner Saravesh directed the district officials to hold discussion with the scientists.

The senior officials directed the district-level officials to discuss on the alternative and short-term crops, in case the region fails to get rain by end of June.

Agriculture department Joint Director Shivamallu said about 10,754 metric tonne fertilisers have been stocked which will be distributed among the farmers. This includes 4,393 metric tonne DAP, 1,869 metric tonne potash, 4,342 metric tonne complex fertilisers and urea. There is no shortage of fertilisers in the district.

He said farmers grow paddy and maize during monsoon. The target was to grow paddy in 35,000 hectare and maize in 3,600 hectare.

He said “owing to delay in monsoon, the farmers have not yet started sowing paddy. Farmers have sown maize in 27 hectare using drip irrigation facility in Somwarpet.”

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Assistant Director Manju said “the sowing of paddy starts in the month of July. The farmers need not worry about rain. If the region does not get rain within 15 to 20 days, then the production of maize will also be affected.”

Assistant director from Somwarpet H S Rajashekar said “the department is getting ready to distribute paddy short term varieties like KRH2, Ganga Kaveri, ANR and other varieties, next week.”