Sowing operations above normal in Karnataka

Sowing operations of various crops have picked up steam following the bountiful rains across Karnataka till the end of July. About 4.52 million hectares have been cultivated so far, reflecting a growth of 31.4 per cent over the corresponding period last year. However, compared to the target of the state agriculture department, the area sowed was about 14 per cent lower. The department had targeted 5.27 million hectares up to July.

During the two month period of June 1 to July 29, 2009, the state as a whole has recorded an actual amount of 481 mm of rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 445 mm with an 8 per cent departure from normal being 8 per cent higher.

According to agriculture department, as on July 27, kharif sowing was above normal in eight districts, normal in 10 districts, below normal in nine districts and negligible in two districts. The sowing was above normal in the districts of Davanagere, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gadag, Dharwad, Hassan and Chikmagalur. While, it was near normal in many other districts, Ramanagara and Chikkaballapura have reported negligible sowing till end of July.

The area sown under cereals was 1.9 million hectares and pulses was 949,000 hectares, which is 18.7 per cent and 90.5 per cent higher respectively.

The area sown under oilseeds has gone up by 25 per cent to 1 million hectares during the corresponding period last year. The area under cash crops has risen 25 per cent to 667,000 hectares during the same period as against an year ago.

In horticulture crops, the area under potato as on July 27 was lower by 48 per cent at 23,818 hectares compared to the corresponding period last year. With regards to onion, the coverage was three times higher, at 92,400 hectares compared to the same period a year ago. Similarly, the area under tomato has risen around 50 per cent at 17,324 hectares as compared to the same period previous year. The area under chilli has risen by close to five times to 76,508 hectares till July-end this year compared to the same period a year ago.

In the major potato, onion, tomato and chilli crop growing districts, sowing, intercultivation, land preparation, nursery bed preparation and transplanting operations are under progress.

The sown crops are reported to be in vegetative stage. However, in some other districts, the sowing operations have commenced late.