<p>The early arrival of the southwest monsoon - 15 days ahead of schedule in Mumbai-Karnataka region - has turned from a blessing into a major concern for farmers.</p><p>Encouraged by forecasts of a good monsoon, farmers in Dharwad and surrounding districts began sowing green gram and other crops in the third week of May. However, relentless rain in the first two weeks of June has caused widespread waterlogging, severely impacting agricultural activity.</p><p>Several taluks in Dharwad district, including Navalgund, Kundgol, Annigeri, Hubballi, and Dharwad, received excess rainfall.</p><p>Heavy downpours also lashed parts of Belagavi district including Saundatti, Ramdurg and Belagavi rural as well as Nargund, Mundargi, and Laxmeshwar in Gadag district, and some taluks in Haveri district.</p><p>Against the average rainfall of 5 mm for the first half of June, many taluks received nearly 5 cm, an increase of nearly 400%. The excessive moisture has turned dryland agricultural fields into slushy, waterlogged patches resembling those in Malnad region, disrupting the sowing process and damaging early crops.</p><p><strong>Water stagnation</strong></p><p>Farmers who sowed early are now suffering losses. In many fields, water stagnation has prevented seed germination. In partially germinated fields, re-sowing is not even a viable option due to continued rain and wet conditions.</p><p>Meanwhile, farmers who are yet to sow could not take up cultivation due to mushy fields. If sowing is not completed within the next 10 days, there are fears that crop yields may be affected. A further delay of two weeks could prove disastrous.</p><p>“If we opt for re-sowing, we’ll have to spend again on seeds and fertilisers. Even if we spend, there’s no guarantee that we’ll get a return. The government must step in and support us,” urged green gram grower Basavaraj Yogappanavar from Kundgol.</p><p>Adding to the concern, intermittent showers continue in most rain-hit taluks, preventing farmers from accessing their fields.</p><p>Many crops that have already been sown are submerged, and fields yet to be sown are too wet to work with. “Farmers are under extreme distress,” said farmer leader Mallikarjunagouda Balaganagouda.</p><p>Agriculture Department Joint Director Manjunath Antaravalli said farmers are waiting for the rains to subside so that germination can resume.</p><p>“The first week of June saw heavy rainfall. Although rainfall has decreased over the past two days, field conditions remain too wet for sowing. The Meteorological Department has forecast a decline in rainfall in the coming week, which should help resume farming operations. Currently, about 67% of the overall sowing target has been achieved,” he said.</p>
<p>The early arrival of the southwest monsoon - 15 days ahead of schedule in Mumbai-Karnataka region - has turned from a blessing into a major concern for farmers.</p><p>Encouraged by forecasts of a good monsoon, farmers in Dharwad and surrounding districts began sowing green gram and other crops in the third week of May. However, relentless rain in the first two weeks of June has caused widespread waterlogging, severely impacting agricultural activity.</p><p>Several taluks in Dharwad district, including Navalgund, Kundgol, Annigeri, Hubballi, and Dharwad, received excess rainfall.</p><p>Heavy downpours also lashed parts of Belagavi district including Saundatti, Ramdurg and Belagavi rural as well as Nargund, Mundargi, and Laxmeshwar in Gadag district, and some taluks in Haveri district.</p><p>Against the average rainfall of 5 mm for the first half of June, many taluks received nearly 5 cm, an increase of nearly 400%. The excessive moisture has turned dryland agricultural fields into slushy, waterlogged patches resembling those in Malnad region, disrupting the sowing process and damaging early crops.</p><p><strong>Water stagnation</strong></p><p>Farmers who sowed early are now suffering losses. In many fields, water stagnation has prevented seed germination. In partially germinated fields, re-sowing is not even a viable option due to continued rain and wet conditions.</p><p>Meanwhile, farmers who are yet to sow could not take up cultivation due to mushy fields. If sowing is not completed within the next 10 days, there are fears that crop yields may be affected. A further delay of two weeks could prove disastrous.</p><p>“If we opt for re-sowing, we’ll have to spend again on seeds and fertilisers. Even if we spend, there’s no guarantee that we’ll get a return. The government must step in and support us,” urged green gram grower Basavaraj Yogappanavar from Kundgol.</p><p>Adding to the concern, intermittent showers continue in most rain-hit taluks, preventing farmers from accessing their fields.</p><p>Many crops that have already been sown are submerged, and fields yet to be sown are too wet to work with. “Farmers are under extreme distress,” said farmer leader Mallikarjunagouda Balaganagouda.</p><p>Agriculture Department Joint Director Manjunath Antaravalli said farmers are waiting for the rains to subside so that germination can resume.</p><p>“The first week of June saw heavy rainfall. Although rainfall has decreased over the past two days, field conditions remain too wet for sowing. The Meteorological Department has forecast a decline in rainfall in the coming week, which should help resume farming operations. Currently, about 67% of the overall sowing target has been achieved,” he said.</p>