Farmers in Chamarajanagar district have delayed sowing due to inadequate rainfall during the crucial months of April and May, affecting pre-kharif agricultural activity. The district, known for its green cover and agricultural output, witnessed significantly lower pre-monsoon showers this year.
The rainfall deficit has not only delayed pre-kharif cultivation but has also affected crops already sown during the period. Agriculture officials are closely monitoring the situation as cultivators await improved rainfall with the advance southwest monsoon to revive farming activity and protect standing crops.
According to the agriculture department, the district has recorded 74.9% scanty rainfall during April and 69.8% rain in May. The department has set a target of sowing in 39,436 hectares of land for the pre-kharif monsoon season, with the district registering 53% progress so far.
Chamarajanagar joint director of agriculture Sushma stated that the district has been able to record 53% sowing progress in the pre-kharif season, and with the district now receiving showers, the kharif sowing operation has picked up and is expected to reach the target by the end of July. Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha’s Chamarajanagar district leader Mahesh Prabhu urged the government to relax the mandatory collection of FID numbers to buy fertilizers, as the majority of farmers do not have them.