Rain brings back greenery to fields, relief to farmers

The rain in the last 15 days has brought relief to farmers of the district. The rain was sufficient for the crops to stand for some more days.

The greenery has returned to the district and the coffee growers are expecting a good yield in the next season. Had the district not received rain in the months of March and April, the planters would have been in distress. Without proper pre-monsoon shower in the last three years, the coffee, cardamom and banana plants had dried up.

The small water bodies near the plantation too had dried up, depriving the farmers of water supply facility through sprinklers too. Even this year, farmers struggled to water pepper vines after its harvest in the month of February. When the farmers were in distress over the withering of long-term crops, the rain has brought relief to them.

With the region receiving rain, the farmers are gearing up to prepare the field for sowing vegetables, ginger, ragi and jowar in north Kodagu. Compared to last year, the district has received 125.02 mm more rainfall in the past four months. Last year, the district had received only 34.46 mm rainfall during the corresponding period. This year, the district has received an average of 159.62 mm rainfall. Last year, during the period, Madikeri had received 73.90 mm rainfall, Virajpet—10.03 mm and Somwarpet—19.47 mm rainfall. This year, Madikeri has received 171.86 mm while Virajpet—152.33 mm and Somwarpet—154.71 mm rainfall.

Suntikoppa, Gonikoppa, Madikeri, Mekeri, Moornadu, Napoklu, Nakooru, Kedakal, Mathikadu and Kushalnagar have experienced good rainfall.

Speaking to DH, Biddappa, a coffee planter from Suntikoppa said, “The district had received only 70 inches of rainfall in 2016. The row over sharing water from river Cauvery occurred due to deficit rainfall. If the district experiences good rainfall this year, then it will bring relief to people in Mysuru, Bengaluru, Mandya and Tamil Nadu.”