North east monsoon brings cheer to farmers in Kadur

The North East Monsoon (hingaru) has brought in cheers to farmers in Kadur, who were reeling under drought for the last four years. They are hopeful of reaping the ragi yield during this season.

Though the monsoon had earlier failed to bring in showers to Kadur and farmers did not take up sowing activities during monsoon, commercial crops like cotton and onion were cultivated on a small patch of land by the farmers. Majority of these farmers had left the fields fallow. Without the paddy straw, cattle were sold at cheap rates by the farmers.

The target for the rabi season was to sow ragi on 32,000-hectare land. With the region receiving good showers recently, the farmers have already sown on 37,000-hectare land. However, the ragi crop is affected with “Kondli hula” at Sakharayapattana, Devanooru, R G Koppalu and surrounding areas.

Taluk assistant agriculture director A P Shivakumar said “the North East monsoon has been satisfactory in the taluk. Farmers have taken up ragi cultivation.

The department has been receiving complaints on “Kondli hula” attacking the crop. Pesticides to check this pest menace is available at a subsidised rate at hobli raitha samparka kendra.

Farmer Shekarappa said “we had lost hope of cultivating ragi during the season. However, the timely shower has saved our lives. This will also solve the shortage of fodder.”