Rains extend sowing area in Mysore

Recent rains, particularly the onset of monsoon this month, has helped farmers to extend sowing to 50 per cent targeted area in Mysore district.

Most of the sown area is in the rainfed, 68 per cent covering 2,05,106 hectares. Irrigated area covered so far is a meagre three per cent, 3,647 hectares. Farmers have completed sowing in 2,08,753 hectares out of 4,20,195 hectares targeted for cultivation of different crops in the district.

Between January and June this year, Mysore had recorded 90 per cent of the normal rainfall 225.3 mm as against the normal of 250.3 mm. Except H D Kote taluk, which has experienced more than normal, 326.7 mm against the average of 271.5 mm, rainfall in rest of the taluks however is still below normal.

During the same period last year, the district had seen a far lower quantum of rainfall, 140.3 against the average of 250.3 mm.

In the current month, rainfall recorded so far is 62.7 mm, while the district's average rainfall is 45.1 mm. The district has been receiving much needed rainfall that would raise the storage levels in reservoirs, which had touched lowest levels.

Among the taluks, Periyapatna has recorded the highest rainfall of 95 per cent, 227.7 mm against the normal of 240.3 mm. Lowest is in Mysore taluk, 151.8 mm while the normal is 248.7 mm, accounting for 61 per cent. Rainfall in other taluks other than H D Kote is Hunsur 201.6 mm covering 80 per cent, K R Nagar 198.2 mm covering 84 per cent, Nanjangud 192.9 mm covering 82 per cent, and T Narasipur 168.7 mm covering 69 per cent.

Having received above average rainfall, H D Kote tops among the taluks in sowing activity. Out of 69,100 hectare targeted area, sowing is complete in 51,158 hectares accounting for 74 per cent.

T Narasipur taluk, which chiefly depends on irrigation, has the lowest coverage, just nine per cent of 41,245 hectares (3,798 hectares). Sowing area covered in other taluks so far is: Hunsur 53,206 - 38 per cent of targeted 95,000 hectares, K.R.Nagar 15,795 - 27 per cent of targeted 57,700 hectares, Mysore 12,253 - 36 per cent of targeted 34,500 hectares, Nanjangud 38,951 - 55 per cent of targeted 70,200 hectares, and Periyapatna 33,592 - 64 per cent of targeted 52,450 hectares.

Sowing of cereals is completed in 33,365 hectares. Pulses occupy 42,115 hectares, oil seeds 7,928 hectares, and cotton 50,474 hectares. Tobacco occupies 73,311 bectares and sugar cane 394 hectares, says Joint Director of Agriculture K.R. Krishnaiah.

The Department has targeted to distribute 96,300 metric tonne fertilisers.

The initial stocks available with the private dealers and the Karnataka State Co-operative Marketing Federation are 47,802 metric tonnes. So far, 22,949 metric tonne fertilisers have been distributed. It has also targeted to make available 24,853 quintal seeds to the farmers. Out of 2,783 quintals supplied, it has distributed 1,820 quintals.

The total stocks available with the Federation and private dealers are 50,120 quintals, he adds.