JOIN USFarmers in Kodagu begin agri activities
The Department of Agriculture has taken timely steps to supply seeds and fertilisers.
According to the Meteorology Department’s forecast, monsoon is expected to enter Kerala by May 27. The rains will possibly enter Kodagu within the next couple of days. Clouds have made their presence in the sky; there have been a few drizzles too.
Rain so far
The district has received 144.1 mm rain by the end of April as against the usual 127 mm. However, the district got only 204.8 mm rain as against 290.1 mm as on May 21.
The taluk-wise data by April end is as follows: Madikeri- 119.4 mm instead of 104 mm; Virajpet- 228.8 mm instead of 100.3 mm; Somwarpet- 84.1 mm instead of 92 mm.
Madikeri and Virajpet taluks have received more rains than the average, while Somwarpet taluk has received less rains.
By May end, Madikeri used to receive 253.6 mm rain but it is just 166.4 mm so far. Similarly, Somwarpet has got 148.3 mm instead of 211.3 mm; while Virajpet has giot 299.7 mm instead of 271.6 mm.
Interestingly, Virajpet has received more rains in this month than Madikeri and Somwarpet.
Sowing target
Farmers are expected to take up sowing in an area of 38,750 hectare this year. This includes 8,000 hectare in Madikeri tauk, 14,750 hectare in Somwarpet taluk and 16,000 hectare in Virajpet taluk.
Agriculture Department Joint Director K R Krishnaiah told Deccan Herald that paddy will be sown in 35,000 hectare area while jowar will be sown in 3,000 hectare, ragi will be grown in 500 hectares and tobacco in 250 hectares.
Need for seed
Krishnaiah said the district requires a total of 7,047 quintal sowing seeds for the current year.
Demands have been conveyed to the State Seed Corporation and National Seed Corporation to reserve 1,653 quintal and 1,000 quintal seed respectively. Storage process is on progress.
Sowing seeds are being supplied to the farmers with 2 hectare land at 50 per cent subsidised rates under the Prime Minister’s Special Package. Besides, small and micro farmers are being given jowar seeds at 50 per cent subsidised rates or for Rs 55 per kg. Due to the scarcity of seeds, large scale farmers will not get authorised seeds, he clarified.
The Commissioner of Agriculture has allotted 57,102 metric tonne fertiliser for the district for this monsoon. This is 5 metric tonne higher than the previous year’s count, he informed.
About 5,254 MT of fertiliser has been distributed to cooperative agencies during February-March.
Besides, 6,146.5 MT and 2,537 MT fertiliser has been distributed in April and May respectively. About 7,307 MT fertiliser has been supplied by the manufacturers directly. Totally, 21,244 MT fertiliser has been distributed in the district till date, he explained.
The district has 2,000 MT fertiliser storage as on now and there is no shortage except the products of two companies. All steps have been taken as per the direction of Deputy Commissioner M K Baladevakrishna, Krishnaiah added.