Kharif sowing picks up in Mysuru district

Mysuru: With the advancement of the southwestern monsoon, kharif sowing has picked up in Mysuru district. On the targeted 3.95 lakh hectares, the district had registered 52% progress in sowing as on Tuesday.
Farmers have sown crops in 2,07,744 hectares this year. Last year, the district had achieved 43% progress in sowing in the corresponding period.
The district has targeted to cover sowing in 2.81 lakh hectares of rain-fed land along with paddy, sugarcane and other crops in 1.41 hectares of irrigated land for this kharif season.
Farmers have sown hybrid maize, hybrid jowar, ragi, millets, tur dal, sunflower, black gram, sesame and other crops.
The district has reported exceeding the 100% target in cotton, tobacco, and other commercial crops along with black eyed bean on rain-fed land this season.
Against the target of 48,287 hectares set for cotton, farmers have sown it in 48,780 hectares. Farmers have also sown tobacco in 63,700 hectares against the target of 62,319 hectares.
The district had set the target of ragi cultivation in 40,540 hectares, but so far sowing has happened in 10, 533 hectares. Only some farmers have opted for ragi cultivation so far. The highest sowing target has been reached in HD Kote taluk while the lowest is in T Narasipura, said technical officer Nagendrappa.
The district had received 51% excess rainfall this year compared to previous year. Against the usual 296mm rain, the district received 449mm from January till June 28 this year.
As irrigation water is not yet released to canals, sowing kharif paddy crops is yet to begin in 95,000 hectares of wet land, the officer said.
Joint director of agriculture Dr Chandrashekhar told TOI that pre-monsoon rain that lashed the district from the first week of April had helped farmers take up cotton, tobacco, black gram and oil seeds crops early. “Early sowing helps farmers for early harvest and better yield. The department has taken all measures for adequate supply of fertilizers, seeds in all Krishi Samparka Kendras and through authorized seeds and fertilizers agencies,” he said.
“Reservoirs of the region like Krishnaraja Sagar, Hemavathi, Kabini and Harangi maintained good storage level. Their catchment areas are also receiving rains. Hence both agriculture department and Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) must initiate measures to release water to canals to take up paddy cultivation in irrigated land in its command areas,” said farmer leader Kurubur Shanthakumar.