MADIKERI: An estimated 37,250 hectares has been targeted for kharif crop farming in the three taluks of Kodagu district for the year 2005-06.

Of this, 35,000 hectares will come under paddy cultivation, according to information from sources in the Department of Agriculture here. Of the total area estimated under crop coverage, 2,380 hectares in Somwarpet taluk would be taken under irrigated methods, the rest are would be rainfed and dependent on rainfall.

An estimated 1000 hectares each would come under ragi and maize cultivation under the cereal crop category.

Commercial crops

In the commercial crop category, tobacco would be cultivated in 250 hectares in Somwarpet taluk.

The coverage, chiefly paddy, in Virajpet taluk is estimated at 17,000 hectares while it is 12,750 hectares in Somwarpet taluk. In Madikeri taluk, the proposed coverage is 7,500 hectares, according to the Joint Director of Agricultural Department, Devdas.

Fertilisers

In spite of a good demand for fertilisers in Kodagu, the district faces a short supply of various fertilisers. The region requires 54,000 tonnes of fertilisers currently, but according to sources, only 17,500 tonnes have been delivered to Kodagu.

Fertiliser industries are said to be unable to cope with the demand for supply, according to sources.

No incidence of pest or disease was observed in crops during the season so far, Mr. Devdas said. Although short supply of electricity and water for irrigation is a cause for concern.

Rains

Monsoon has played truant in Kodagu. Farmers are finding it difficult to pursue agriculture operations such as ploughing, tilling and preparing for paddy nurseries in the absence of rain.

The district had received an average of 422.6 mm rainfall as on May 31, 2004. But, in the current year (from January to May), the average has been 177.7 mm. Madikeri taluk has received 127.2 mm as against 392.2 mm last year; Somwarpet taluk recorded 196.6 mm (361.3 mm); while Virajpet taluk received 209.4 mm (514.4 mm) rainfall from January to May 2005. The plight of the farmers, mainly paddy growers, can be understood as almost all the crop areas are covered under paddy cultivation in the district and highy dependent on rain.

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