Sown area touches 80% as rains cover 95% in Karnataka

During the same period last year, only 49% of the targeted area had come under sowing due to the inadequate rainfall

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Sowing has gathered steam in the state with rainfall covering 95 per cent of the rain-fed areas. Cultivation in rain-fed areas has touched about 75 per cent of the area, though the coverage in the irrigated areas remain low at 5 per cent as waters are yet to be released into the canals.

During the same period last year, only 49 per cent (211,063 hectares) of the targeted area had come under sowing due to the inadequate rainfall.

Of the targeted 420,195 hectares during the present monsoon cropping season, sowing has taken place on 231,095 ha till July 8 in the Mysore district, reaching a coverage of 55 per cent of the cultivated area. Of this, the area sown is 225,686 ha in the rain-fed area (75 per cent) while it is only 5,385 ha in the irrigated area (5 per cent) till July 8.

According to figures made available by joint director of agriculture K R Krishnaiah, cereals have been sown on 40,252 ha, pulses on 9,924 ha, oil seeds on 9,924 ha and cotton on 50,374 ha. Besides, tobacco cultivation has been taken up on 81,117 ha and sugarcane on 3,298 ha.

In terms of the taluks, Periyapatna tops with 83 per cent with 43,429 ha coming under sowing of the targeted 52,450 ha. This is followed by H D Kote 81 per cent (targeted 69,100, sowed 56,278 ha), Nanjangud 60 per cent (70,200 - 41,998), Mysore 43 per cent (34,500 - 14,718), Hunsur 38 per cent (95,000 - 54,086), K R Nagar 27 per cent (57,700 - 15,795), and T Narasipur 12 per cent (41,245 - 4,767).

While crops are in the different stages of growth, pulses and cotton have been affected by insects and spraying of pesticides have been taken up, Krishnaiah said.

The district's annual average rainfall is 801.4 mm and till July 8 from January last 311 mm rainfall has occurred, which is 95 per cent. June has seen excess rainfall, recording 114.4 mm against the average of 85.1 mm.

Except for H D Kote taluk, all other taluks have received less than the average rainfall. H D Kote has received excess rainfall, at 132 per cent, 400.4 mm against the average 378 mm.

Rainfall during the same period last year was only 172.3 mm against 326.1 mm normal rainfall in the district. The least rainfall has occurred in Mysore taluk, 63 per cent, 184.7 mm against the normal 292.6 mm.