06-06-2025
Pre-monsoon rains kindle hopes of good crop yield in Mandya
Good pre-monsoon rains followed by timely onset of south west monsoon has kindled hopes of a good harvest and crop yield among farmers in Mandya.
In view of the favourable weather conditions, the Agriculture Department has set a target of bringing 1,66,590 hectares under cultivation during the monsoon season. Deputy Commissioner Kumar said the area under cultivation in the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons will be 1,92,103 hectares.
He presented an overview of the agricultural situation to the district in charge Minister N. Cheluvaraysaswamy at a review meeting here on Friday.
It was pointed out that during the summer season, crops were cultivated over a total area of 13,463 hectares of which 11,208 hectares was brought under paddy, while 1,820 hectares was brought under millet. The harvesting of the summer crops is under process at present, Dr. Kumar said.
In the pre-monsoon season, pulses were cultivated on 15,906 hectares and sesame (ellu) on 4,476 hectares which totalled 20,382 hectares of crop area. In addition, sugarcane cultivation has been taken up, and its area of cultivation is 36,435 hectares.
The lifeline of Mandya district is Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir and due to heavy rains in the catchment area of the river Cauvery, the dam is expected to reach its full level of 124.80 ft. early this year. The water level as on June 6 was 107.68 ft., said the authorities.
Coupled with comfortable storage position in the reservoir, the district has been blessed with copious rains so far. Against a normal rainfall of 176.7 mm for the period April 1 to June 6, the district has received 247.7 mm. The normal rainfall for April is 46.6 mm against which the district received 82.2 mm and in May, it received 161.2 mm of rainfall against a normal of 99.9 mm.
The demand for seeds of various crops estimated during the current season is 11,256 quintals, while for paddy it was 8,522 quintals. But the stock available at various warehouses of Karnataka State Seed Corporation (KSSC), National Seed Corporation (NSC), VC Farm etc., was 18,138 quintals.
Based on taluk-wise demands, 6,544 quintals of paddy seeds and 2,053 quintals of ragi or millet seed have been ordered from KSSC, while 2,298 quintals of paddy seeds will be procured from NSC.
There are 31 Raitha Samparka Kendras in the district apart from 16 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and 80 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies through which the seeds will be distributed, the authorities added.
The district administration has also ruled out shortage of fertilisers and has pegged the demand at 73,065 metric tons. This includes 32,543 MT for the period April to June.
The farmers have also been urged to enrol for crop insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and efforts will be made to increase crop insurance coverage in the district, said Joint Director of Agriculture and others were present.
