After sowing, farmers in Dharwad keep their fingers crossed

The officials stated that there was a demand for 63,400 metric tonnes of fertilisers in Dharwad district for kharif season

Farmers in Dharwad district, who had to bear the brunt of drought last year and the year before, are now fearing another dry kharif season.

The district received good rains in the beginning of this kharif season prompting the farmers to take up sowing operation. Nearly 71 per cent of the cultivable area has been sown. However absence of rain in the first week of July in certain parts of the district has been a cause of worry for the farmers.

An official from agriculture department, said the situation would be grim if this position continues for another week.

"The farmers will be in deep trouble. The crops are getting infected by insects and pests and the fear of major crop loss looms large," he told Business Standard. The district should have received normal rain of 289 mm till July 7 but has received 235 mm, according to official sources. The department of agriculture had targeted 2,08,900 hectares to be brought under sowing but 1,47,927 hectares has been sown. The farms in entire Navalgund taluk and Shiraguppi, Aminabhavi and Garag hoblis remain unsown.

The district has registered 71 per cent sowing till last week of June. The officials of agriculture department were expecting rains and the area under sowing to be increased in first week of July. Giving statistics of sown area, the officials stated that in Dharwad taluk already soya is sown in 8990 hectares, paddy in 8700 hectare, maize in 5,900 hectare, groundnut in 5830 hectare.

The officials stated that there was a demand for 63,400 metric tonne of fertilisers in the district for kharif season. The fertiliser is being supplied to the farmers through Raith Sampark Kendra and co-operative societies. The department has prepared a programme to distribute seeds at subsidised rates to all the farmers in five taluks.

Meanwhile, confusion prevailed over the procedure to be followed to get the benefit of crop insurance under National Crop Insurance scheme and Weather-based crop insurance scheme.

Praveen Kumar nodal officer and coordinator from National Crop Insurance Corporation informed that the farmers should have knowledge of list of crops and areas notified for insurance benefit. July 31 is the last date for paying the premium. The farmer going for insurance should compulsorily have bank account and should submit a certificate from revenue authority regarding crop he is cultivating.