Delayed rainfall leaves farmers bankrupt

The farmers in the taluk have gone bankrupt due to delayed rains even after two months of the onset of monsoon season.

The agricultural activities have come to a standstill posing a severe blow to the livelihood of the farmers.

Though sowing has begun at a few places in the taluk, many others are awaiting rainfall to resume agricultural activities.

The borewells have completely gone dry as there has been severe depletion of the groundwater level.

The crops in the fields have withered and turned into weeds because of lack of drip irrigation. The disrupted power supply due to periodical load shedding has aggravated the crisis.

Around 245 mm of rainfall was recorded up to July. The taluk has recorded 121.4 mm of rainfall for the past eight months.Kasaba hobli has recorded 101 mm of rainfall, Pathapalya has recorded 140.8 mm of rainfall, Chelur has recorded 150.2 mm of rainfall, Gulur has recorded 101 mm and Mittemari has recorded 114 mm of rainfall respectively.

Sowing failed

Paddy, ragi, maize and pulses were cultivated on 14,070 hectares of land. But sowing has taken place only on 650 hectares of land.

Similarly, tur, beans, greengram and other lentils were cultivated on 4,620 hectares of land but sowing was possible on 11 hectares.

Groundnut, sunflower, sesame, mustard and others seeds were cultivated on 14,155 hectares of land but sowing has taken place only on 456 hectares of land.

Narayanappa a farmer from Hosahudya gram said, “The sowing process is supposed to be completed by the end of Aashada. Heavy rainfall may also disrupt the sowing process.

The government and elected representatives should inspect the fields and provide relief measures.”