Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080351200300.htm

Karnataka

Sowing affected

Staff Correspondent

Chitradurga: Of the six taluks in Chitradurga district, five have received good rain, while Molakalmur is still in need of more.

Owing to scanty rainfall, farmers of the taluk are in distress. A majority of them grow groundnut, making it a major crop in the taluk. According to the Meteorology Department, the district has received over 49 mm rainfall up till now. Other taluks such as Chitradurga and Holalkere have received over 60 mm rainfall, while Molakalmur taluk has received less than 20 mm.

Sowing is being undertaken at a brisk pace in all parts of the district, except Molakalmur. “Last year, the taluk received abundant rain, filling up over 33 tanks including the Rangayyanadurga Dam. But this year, the tanks are on the verge of drying up,” said K. Jaiprakash, a farmer.

Cropping pattern

Due to various natural calamities, farmers of the taluk had for the past 20 years adopted a single-crop-a-year cultivation pattern. Hence, groundnut was the main crop they were depending upon, he said.

Of 30,000 hectares of cultivable land in the district, sowing has been undertaken on nearly 14,000 hectares, according the Agriculture Department. The farmers of Marammahalli, Mogalhalli, Kondlahalli, Konasagar, Muttigarehalli and B.G. Kere villages have sown seeds after some light showers.