Kodagu farmers await monsoon

 The presence of cloudy atmosphere for the past two days, herald the arrival of monsoon in district. Meanwhile, district received drizzles and the cloudy presence continued on Monday also. Monsoon had arrived on June 2 itself in 2008 and the district had received enough rains within 20 days last year.

By the middle of June, there were heavy rains in the district and the water-level in Harangi reservoir had increased considerably in 2008. But so far there was no inflow in the reservoir and heavy rains too did not lash the district.

Agricultural activities were being taken up brimmingly during this period in previous year. However, this year, only corn and tobacco were cultivated at Somwarpet taluk. Meanwhile, farmers in Madikeri and Virajpet expecting rains to prepare seedlings of paddy crop.

Agriculture Department also is gearing up to distribute necessary seeds to farmers. Department had a stock of about 141 quintals of paddy seeds and 25 quintals have already been distributed in Madikeri taluk. Nearly 490 quintals out of the total 686 quintals of paddy seeds were distributed among farmers in Virajpet taluk.

While there was a stock of 1,135 quintals of paddy seeds in Somwarpet, 478 quintals have already been distributed to farmers.

The department had supplied a total of 1,962 quintals of seeds and 993 quintals of seeds were already distributed to farmers in 50 percent subsidised rate.

Farmers who want to avail the benefits can contact the Farmers Information Centres. Similarly, about 373 quintals of corn seeds were distributed in Somwarpet taluk. A total of 48.85 quintals of corn ready for distribution.