DHARMAPURI: Farmers have reported a massive drop in paddy cultivation in Dharmapuri, as well irrigation is failing due to the delay in the onset of southwest monsoon.
In Dharmapuri, paddy is cultivated in an area of about 22,000 hectares annually. However, this year, farmers have reported that paddy cultivation could drop to an alarmingly low amount, as well irrigation across the district has started failing. Sources said, "With well irrigation failing, borewell would also soon start failing and so the farmers are hesitant to pursue cultivation, as there is no guarantee of rains."
Speaking to the TNIE, farmer S Sivakumar from Marandahalli said, "Right now, there is no water source in Dharmapuri, as most lakes are dry and the dam barely has about 25% in reserve. We have not had any rains since November 2025 and most of the well water got used up in the summer. So, in the present situation, we have no local water sources. By now, we should have started seeding, but it would be a huge gamble as we would need to spend about Rs 30,000 per hectare every month. But if there is no rain by next month, we would face massive losses. So we can only wait and see."
Another farmer, P Manikam from Harur said, "Usually in Dharmapuri, during Rabi season, paddy is cultivated in an area of about 8,200 hectares. However, this year, since November there has been no rain. So farmers mostly relied on well water. By early summer, most wells had started drying up. We have borewells, but this water is needed for our cattle, so we cannot risk it on paddy cultivation. It is likely that paddy cultivation will decline by at least 50% this year. Moreover, since January we should have received about 380mm of rainfall and so far we got only 200mm. Hence, the farmers are hesitant to cultivate paddy this year."
When the TNIE reached out to officials in the agriculture department, they said, "Usually by June and July, we would have about 1,000 hectares of paddy fields ready for harvest, but our preliminary report shows at present only less than 600 hectares ready. The lack of rainfall is a primary cause. If the monsoon picks up, it will increase. Right now, farmers have only delayed planting. We will only know more about the harvest in late September."