The monsoon is yet to gain momentum in the district. Owing to this, the sowing has been done only in 16 per cent of the total target area for the kharif season so far.
The district received 247.7 mm of rainfall in the year 2016 as measured until June 23, against the average expected rainfall of 425.7 mm. Despite the 42 per cent deficiency in rain, farmers have completed tilling their lands, but are yet to take up sowing of seeds. The Department of Agriculture has set the target of undertaking sowing in an area of 1,73,450 hectares in the district. Of this, sowing has taken place in 27,793 hectares so far. This includes sowing of maize in 23,045 hectares and paddy in 6,289 hectares.
Distribution of rainfall
It may be mentioned here that in 2015, the district had received 1,545 mm rainfall against the average rain of 1,818 mm. The deficiency of rain was at 15 per cent last year. The pre-monsoon rain was also not as expected in 2016.
The taluk-wise information on the actual rain and the average rain in 2016 so far is as follows: Shivamogga 163.3 mm (213.2 mm); Bhadravati 192.6 mm (189.5 mm); Tirthahalli 272.9 mm (586.9 mm); Sagar 332.8 mm (558.4 mm); Hosanagar 253.5 mm (590 mm); Shikaripur 223.3 mm (239 mm) and Sorab 206.8 mm (312.7 mm). Except for Bhadravati taluk, the remaining places are facing a scarcity of rain. Hosanagar and Tirthahalli taluks, known for high rainfall are facing scarcity of 57 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.
Fall in paddy yield
Sudhakar, a farmer from Konandur in Tirthahalli taluk, where paddy is grown using the rain-fed method said that last year, the paddy yield in the region had declined by 50 per cent owing to scarcity of rain.
If there is scarcity of rain this year also, the farmers will be in dire straits. As the monsoon is yet to commence in the region, the farmers are hesitating to begin sowing, he said.
Madhusudan, Joint Director of Department of Agriculture, told The Hindu that the monsoon is likely to become active in the district from first week of July, after which the sowing will gain momentum too.
Transporting seedlings
Moreover, the work of preparation of a nursery of paddy seedlings and transplantation of saplings to 25,000 hectares of land in the command area of Bhadra reservoir will begin in third week of July after water is released from the reservoir for the canals, he said.
Seeds, fertilizers ready
He added that the department had maintained ample stock of seeds and fertilizers for sowing.
The demand for fertilizers in the month of June is at 37,925 metric tonnes against which 23,879 metric tonnes has already been distributed.
In addition to this, the department has also maintained a stock of 15,206 metric tonnes, he said.