Good spell of rain triggers farming activity in Mysuru

Experts advise agriculturists to start tilling land

Agricultural activities have gained momentum with the district receiving good spell of rains over the past two weeks. Farmers are hopeful that the spell will continue till the actual monsoon sets in.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Karnataka, which was the most rain deficient state last monsoon, is witnessing good pre-monsoon showers this year. The department has predicted 96% rainfall this year. Moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning has lashed parts of Hassan, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts raising hopes among the agrarian community. Irrigation in Mysuru district through reservoirs covers only 35% to 40% of the total area and hence farmers depend on rains.

Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa, Organic Farming Research Station, Naganahalli’s Research Associate Narendra Babu told DH that the pre-monsoon season has begun at the right time and will continue till May.

“The monsoon season is usually from June. However, the pattern varies once in eight to 10 years,” he said.

Farmers are advised to take up ploughing in areas which have received rain. Farmers have been told to take up ploughing across the slope as it improves infiltration and conservation of rain water. Farmers have been advised to take up land preparation across the slopes and keep the land ready for pre-monsoon sowing.

While sowing pulses, seeds should be treated with appropriate strain of rhizobium culture. Farmers are advised to buy seeds only from authorised dealers with blue tags only.

Farmers here grow green gram, horse gram, red gram and other millets till the actual monsoon sets in.

Later, if rains are on expected lines, they go for paddy, he said. Farmers are however, in a dilemma as the rain pattern was similar last year too but they were not steady, resulting in loss of crops.

‘No change in temperature’
According to Naganahalli Research Centre, heat and humidity will continue throughout the day and night during the season as pre-monsoon rain is intense but lasts for a short spell. Pre-monsoon rains will not affect the temperatures in a significant way as it will be for a short duration. The rain is usually expected during late afternoon, evening or early morning.

The day temperature was 35.8 degrees Celsius on April 19 while it was 36 degrees Celsius on April 18. The temperature will hover between 34 and 36 degrees for the next few days.

Sowing seeds
With Hunsur taluk getting a good spell of rain on Monday night, farmers began tilling their lands and are in need of good quality seeds, said taluk Raitha Sangha secretary Shankaregowda.

Bilikere Raitha Samparka Kendra officer Prasanna Dewan said that they have sufficient seeds of green and black gram in stock. “Monsoon begins in the state from June but farmers of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar have mistook summer rain to be the actual monsoon and are in a hurry to purchase seeds for sowing. The Agriculture department has taken measures to supply sufficient seeds,” he said.