As monsoon nears, farmers gear up for kharif sowing

BAGALKOT

As the monsoon approaches, preparations for agricultural activities are in full swing in the district. The department of agriculture has made arrangements for procurement of seeds and fertilisers for distribution to farmers. This time, the monsoon is expected to arrive a week early, and as the district received good pre-monsoon rains, farmers have started preparing the land for kharif sowing. Monsoon usually arrives in Kerala by May 30 and in Karnataka by June 7. However, according to weather experts, this time the monsoon is expected to arrive a week earlier. Good pre-monsoon rains are expected to be advantageous to the farmers. The agriculture department has set 3.1 lakh hectares sowing target in district. Among mono-cereals, cowpea and sajje are being sown, while among di-cereals, tur and green gram are being sown, and this time, special emphasis is being given to sowing sunflower in large quantities among oilseeds, said officials. Sugarcane grown in an area of 1.3 lakh hectares is the major crop in the district.

Officials said 48,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers are available, and appealed to farmers to buy fertilisers now as the monsoon is expected to start by the end of the month.

BOX

“There is a possibility of artificial shortage as farmers come to buy only after the onset of monsoon. If farmers need seeds, they can buy them after the rain, but if they buy the required amount of fertilisers, it will be easier to supply as per farmers' demand,” said Lakshman Kallennavar, Joint Director of Agriculture. Last year, the rain was delayed and the temperature increased, so the crop failed. This time, the plan is to distribute the seeds carefully so that it does not happen again, the officer said.