Chikkaballapur: Farmers apprehensive of low yield despite good rain

The district is receiving good rain this time when compared to that of the previous year.
Farm ponds, dug under the government scheme, are full. Though the rain has bought cheers among farmers, they are not hopeful of better yield. The chance of getting better crop is very less even if the district gets more rain.

According to Agriculture Department, though the district is getting rain now, it is not sufficient for agricultural activities.The district did not get sufficient rain in June and July, but it is getting more rain from September when the crops have grown.This is not really much useful to crops. The farmers should get more rain at the time of sowing seeds, not now, the department officials said.

Last year, it was estimated that the district would get 731.1 mm of rain. But it received only 497.9 mm rain. This year, it has received 692.4 mm of rain, more than the expected figures of 552.1 mm up to October 6. If the rain continues like this till the end of this month, the district will get more than 700 mm of rain.

Joint director of Agriculture Department Mallikarjun said, “As of now, the rain may be useful for ragi and tur, but not for other crops like groundnut. The farmers may get a low yield, but they do not have to face crop loss. Prolonged rain will leave humidity in soil and it will also be useful for some crops.”

He said farmers should not worry and make all efforts to store rainwater, sustain humidity in their fields and also increase underground water level. They should ensure that rainwater is not wasted, he added.
 
1,100 farm ponds full
The State government had set a target of digging 1,200 farm ponds under Krishi Bhagya scheme in 2014-15 in the district and the Agriculture Department has been successful in digging 1,100 farm ponds with the help of farmers. It has also provided grants to farmers for digging ponds.
Vijayanarasimha, officer supervising digging of farm ponds, said a large number of farmers have dug farm ponds all over the district. All these farm ponds are full following rain, he added.
He said farmers can use this water in the month of December during water shortage and crops start withering.