Karnataka   

Drought looks imminent in Chitradurga district

Losing strength: Sunflower crop in Chitradurga taluk withering away on account of inadequate rainfall.

Chitradurga: On account of poor rainfall, Chitradurga district seems to be heading towards a drought.

Many farmers have not begun sowing, while a few others have already started, hoping for favourable weather.

According to sources in the Meteorology Department, the district has received only 16.3 mm rain as against an expected 54 mm for the kharif season. The sowing areas in the district are spread over 3.5 lakh hectares, while so far seeds have been sown on only 78,000 hectares.

As compared to last year’s sowing percentage of 53.5 during the kharif season, the district has witnessed sowing on only 21.8 per cent of farmlands till mid-July.

The district generally receives rain during June, which helps boost the chances of maize and sunflower yield.

The western parts of Chitradurga and Holalkere taluks are maize-growing, while sunflower is largely grown in the eastern parts of Chitradurga and some parts of Hiriyur. Maize and sunflower farmers have not sown seeds owing to inadequate rainfall. The cultivable land for oilseeds in the district is 1.85 lakh hectares, of which groundnut is grown on 1.5 lakh hectares, making it a major crop in the district.

Last year by this time, groundnut was grown on 38,656 hectares of land, but this year, sowing has been done on only 5,575 hectares.

As many farmers are into groundnut cultivation, oil mills here are also dependent on these crops. Groundnut farmers are, however, still optimistic, hoping for rains next week. If this occurs, they will get enough time for sowing seeds.

Similar is the case with onion growers. Although many of them have their own irrigation systems such as borewells, they are still dependent on rain. Many of them have brought seeds from Maharashtra, eagerly hoping to start work soon.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Karnataka ranks fourth in exports, thanks to IT, biotechnology
Drought looks imminent in Chitradurga district
Poor response to Congress procession
Declare forests as sensitive areas: MP
Media told to focus on core issues of women
Search for drowned youths continues
Sale of stake of PSU banks draws flak
State given less fertilizer: Minister
DMRC report on high-speed rail link to airport ready
Ban orders
Water adalat
Water shortage
Bakery training
Painting contest

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu