ಮಳೆಯ ಅಭಾವ, ಪರ್ಯಾಯ ಬೆಳೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಆದ್ಯತೆ ನೀಡುವ ತಂತ್ರಗಾರಿಕೆ

According to Vijayavani, the Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka is facing a significant agricultural crisis due to a severe deficit in monsoon rainfall. As of late July, the district has recorded only 6.9 mm of rainfall, falling far short of the expected 50.9 mm average for the month. This represents an 86 percent shortfall over the last 25 days, severely impacting the start of the Kharif sowing season.

The lack of adequate rainfall has led to a sharp decline in planting activities. Official data indicates that only 7 percent of the targeted sowing has been achieved, with seeds planted on just 4,066 hectares out of a total cultivable area of 126,854 hectares. Farmers, who typically begin sowing operations in the first week of June, are currently unable to proceed with standard cultivation and are being forced to leave their fields fallow while waiting for better weather conditions.

In response to the ongoing drought-like situation, local agricultural authorities are advising farmers to shift their strategy toward alternative crops. There is an increasing emphasis on the use of hybrid seed varieties that are more resilient to moisture stress. With over 230,000 farmers in the district managing 161,631 hectares of land, the agricultural department is monitoring the situation closely, hoping for a revival in rainfall to accelerate farming activities in the coming weeks.