Sparse pre-monsoon rains withers Mandya farmers' hopes

IMD's prediction of good rains their only silver lining

As the district was blessed with timely rains during the last two years, the farmers were happy and busy in agricultural activities during the months of April and May. But, this year, the total scenario has changed, due to the delay in pre-monsoon showers.

This has left the farmers worried. However, their hopes are kept alive as the officials of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have predicted good rains in a few days.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, a farmer said that the pre-monsoon showers were necessary to sustain standing crops. “As there is a delay in pre-monsoon rains this year, we may lose the yield. Every year, the district receives good rains in the months of April and May, facilitating agricultural activities. But, this year, there have been only sparse rains so far,” he lamented.

According to statistics, the district should have received 46.4 mm of rains in April with an average of 49.7 mm of rains. In 2015, there was 54.7 mm of rains, while it is only 11.4 mm this year. The situation is similar in all the taluks of the district.

In the month of May, the average expected rains is 118.7 mm. It was 119.4 mm in 2014 and 156.8 mm in 2015. But, it is only 1.5 mm in 2016 till May 5, which has upset farmers.

Crop loss

Pre-monsoon rains are essential to save sugar cane, coconut and mulberry crops. Sugar cane has already started withering in some villages. In all, sugar cane has been cultivated on 35,000 hectares, coconut on 45,000 hectares, mulberry on 5,000 hectares. The yields are expected to come down, if the rains fail.

If there was timely rains in April, the farmers would have sown black-eyed peas (alsande kalu), green gram, sesame and black gram. Now, the sowing activities has been delayed and farmers are anticipating rains to begin sowing.

KRS dam

Water is released into canals only if there was sufficient water in the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam. But, with the water level depleting to 80 ft, it is not possible to release water into canals. With the temperature rising at alarming levels, borewells too are drying up, leaving the farmers in a tricky position.