Mysore gets below average rainfall in Jan-May period

The target set for production of pulses is 50,850 mt on 80,700 hectares and oil seeds 12,462 mt on 18,850 hectares which is entirely rain-dependent.

Mysore district has experienced below average rainfall so far, recording 117.8 mm against the normal rainfall of 159.8 from January to May 20. The district's average annual rainfall is 766.7 mm.

During the last 20 days, the rainfall was a meager 36.2 mm while the May month's average is 81.1 mm, according to Joint Director of Agriculture Krishnaiah.

During the current monsoon crop season, 29 per cent sowing has been completed, covering 1,20,099 hectares - 1,17,058 hectares under rainfed area (39 per cent) and 3,041 hectares under irriaged area (3 per cent) - 14,093 hectares under cereal, 30,633 hectares under pulses, 5,274 hectares under oil seeds and 41,198 hectares under cotton. Besides, tobacco has been grown on 27,915 hectares.

For the 2013-14 monsoon season, the department has set a target to cover a total 4,20,195 hectares under different crops in the district - 1,18,235 hectares under irrigated and 3,01,960 hectares under rain-fed areas and raise 5,71,869 metric tones of foodgrains on 2,61,300 hectares and 12,462 metric tones of oil seeds on 18,850 hectares. It has also targeted 1,78,750 bale cotton on 46,750 hectares, 12.64 lakh metric tones of sugarcane on 12,385 hectares and 91,312 metric tones of tobacco on 80,910 hectares.

Of the cereal crops proposed to be raised on 1,80,600 hectares comprising 1,05,850 hectares irrigated and 74,750 hectares rainfed, jowar production is targeted at 9,603 mt. covering 8,050 hectares, hybrid maize 98,403 mt (27,350 hectares), paddy 3,55,871 mt (1,05,650 hectares), and ragi 57,153 mt (39,550 hectares). The target set for production of pulses is 50,850 mt on 80,700 hectares and oil seeds 12,462 mt on 18,850 hectares which is entirely rain-dependent.

However, these targets can be met provided the district received timely and widespread rains in adequate quantities, Krishnaiah said.

As regards fertilisers, the Joint Director said it was targeted to distribute 96,300 mt during the current monsoon crop season. Till the end of April, 20,393 mt stock was maintained. It was aimed to distribute 30,421 quintal seeds at conceesion rates. So far 2,220 quintal of seeds was supplied to the district of which 1,193 quintals had been distributed to farmers through contact centres.

So far, 5,571 farmers had obtained Rs. 24 lakh subsidy. Besides, 49,971 quintal seeds were also available with KSSC, NSC and private parties.

Steps have been taken to make available seeds under different schemes through the farmers' contact centres.