Belagavi district is grappling with a significant rainfall deficit, casting a shadow over the progress of the Kharif season. Key taluks, including Belagavi, Gokak, Nippani, Kagwad, and Khanapur, have recorded rainfall shortages ranging from 35% to 58%. Against a target of 7.5 lakh hectares, only 51% of sowing has been completed. Delayed June rains have slowed agricultural activities, raising concerns over crop losses, drying rivers, and a potential drinking water shortage if weather conditions do not improve in the coming weeks.
Rainfall Data from June 1 to 17
Even though June is half over, Belagavi district has not received the expected amount of rain. The district was supposed to receive 65mm of normal rainfall from June 1 to 15. However, it did not rain in all parts of the district, causing a huge setback for agricultural activities. From June 1 to 17, Belagavi taluk received the highest rainfall of 105mm, while Ramdurg taluk received the lowest at 46mm.
Sowing Progress and Crop Status
Due to rain at the end of May and the first week of June, some sowing had been done in a few parts of the district. Sowing should have picked up in the second week of June, but farmers have not started sowing due to the lack of moisture. According to the agriculture department, only 51% of the sowing has been done in the district so far. The district has a target of sowing in 7,52,312 hectares, and by June 15, only 3,81,887 hectares have been sown. In some taluks, the lack of rain has severely affected sowing.
Soybean, green gram, and paddy are sown in large quantities. Soybean was sown in 42,405 hectares, green gram in 38,271 hectares, paddy in 32,540 hectares, maize in 14,820 hectares, black gram in 9,933 hectares, cotton in 8,433 hectares, and sugarcane in 2,29,229 hectares.
Advisory for Farmers
Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, HD Kolekar, said that farmers have been advised to grow short-term crops. Farmers should sow seeds while monitoring soil moisture. Farmers are worried that if it does not rain for a few more days, even the seedlings and leafy crops will suffer from a lack of moisture. Currently, there is no shortage of moisture for crops that have already been sown. The department is providing guidance to protect the crops. Sowing major monsoon crops is allowed till July 15.
Pest Infestation in Belagavi Taluk
Soybean has been sown in 6,500 hectares in Belagavi taluk and is affected by stem borer and green pod borer. A survey team comprising officials of the agriculture department, including HD Kolekar, Salim Sangatras, SS Hiremath, CI Hugar, and Mangala Biradar, visited the fields and advised on precautionary measures to be taken for pest control.
