Monsoon Rains Off To A Good Start, Farmers Happy, Sowing Sped Up

Belagavi
The farmers of the district, who were shocked by the severe drought last year, are happy as the monsoon rains have started well this time. Sowing has started and farmers are busy in agricultural activities.
The sowing of paddy, cowpea, soybean, cotton, groundnut and other crops is intensive throughout the district. Farmers come with their families and hired laborers and engage in sowing.
The agriculture department has set a target of sowing in 7,42,530 lakh hectares in the district this time. Out of this, by June 10, 2,53,000 (35 per cent) hectares have been sown. Out of this, 1,79,195 hectares have sugarcane crop, while 73,533 hectares of various crops have been sown. Last year, the sowing target was 7.11 lakh hectares during the monsoon season. However, due to good rains this year, sowing has doubled compared to last year. Last time, only 6.73 lakh hectares of land was sown due to lack of rain.
1,36,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer available. 38,000 quintals of sowing seeds have been stocked at farmer contact centers out of which 21,000 quintals have been distributed under seed subsidy. Supply is according to demand. Agriculture officials have informed that there is no shortage of seeds and fertilizers.
So far 19,800 hectares have been sown in the district, paddy 9200, cowpea 9,545, togari 4,950, uddu 4,758, soybean 21,310, cotton 2973, groundnut 300 hectares have been sown.