Erratic rains badly affect agriculture activities

Paddy sowing completed in 3,400 hectares in Somwarpet

The agriculture department had been assuring the farmers that even if the region receives heavy rains between July 15 and 20, it will help the farmers in sowing the seeds.

Paddy is normally grown in 39,250 hectares in the district during monsoon. However, owing to the delay in monsoon, sowing has been completed in 3,400 hectares in Somwarpet, this accounts for 9 per cent of the total cultivable land.

The target was to grow ‘musukina jola’ in 3,500 hectares in Somwarpet. However, sowing had been completed in 3,050 hectares.

In some of the fields, ginger is being cultivated instead of Musukina jola.  Hence, the land under musukina jola had been reduced. The target was to grow ragi in 500 hectares. However, sowing had been completed in 100 hectares. Tobacco was being grown in 250 hectares, said Agriculture department Joint Director K R Krishnaiah.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said “farmers had prepared the seedlings ready for transplantation in the paddy fields. However, owing to the scarcity of rain, paddy cultivation had been affected. The target was to grow paddy in 35,000 hectare land in the district. This include Madikeri—8,000 hectare, Somwarpet—11,000 hectare and Virajpet—16,000 hectare land.”

“Paddy cultivation will not be affected even if the region receives rain between July 15 and 20. However, without good rainfall, ploughing can not be carried out,” he added.

No shortage of seeds

About 4,000 quintal seeds are in demand in Kodagu district. As a precautionary measure, 2,421 quintal paddy seeds have been stocked. About 1,658 quintal paddy seeds had been already distributed among farmers. There was no shortage of seeds in the district, he clarified.

Owing to the untimely rain during December, Thunga, Atheera paddy were damaged. As there was increase in demand for both the varieties, there was shortage in the district. However, we are supplying IR-64, MTU-1001, IET-7191 hybrid varieties to the farmers. So far, 22 quintal hybrid paddy seeds and 376 quintal musukina jola seeds were being distributed.

Fertilisers

He said “The target was to distribute 69,450 metric tonne fertilisers in the district. This include 20,020 metric tonne urea, 11,610 metric tonne DAP, 14,010 metric tonne MOP, 23,810 metric tonne NPK complex. So far, 29m125 metric tonne fertilisers had been distributed.

About 10,570 metric tonne fertilisers had been stored,” said Krishnaiah and added that “there was no shortage of fertilisers in the district.”

He said “we are waiting for District-in-Charge Minister to organise district-level Krishi utsav.”