RAICHUR: The rains have let down the farmers of the district who are unable to start ploughing or sowing, particularly in rain-fed areas.
Of the three lakh hectares of cultivable area, sowing has not started in even a single hectare.
Of the 1,64,950 hectares of rain-fed areas, 1,42,150 hectares are irrigated by Tungabhadra left bank canal (Tungabhadra river) and Narayanpur right bank canal (Krishna river), but thanks to the clear skies, a dry spell is prevailing in the areas.
It is estimated that the district will see an average of 75 mm of rain this month but so far the downpour has been only 17 mm.
According to sources in the agricultural department, though there were heavy rains in May, it was mostly in urban areas.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Amaranna Gudihal said: “We expected Rohini and Mrigashira rains but both did not materialise. We are now hopeful of Aaridra rains. But if this also fails, there is no other hope. Many small farmers who have just two or three hectares are already packing their bags for mass exodus to cities in search of employment.” Kuppanna, a farmer from Lingsugur taluk concurred. “Had there been sufficient rains this month we could have sown tur, bajra, sunflower, green gram and groundnut. There seems to be no sign of showers. We will wait for one more week and then will have to think of other options.”
KRRS state president Chamarasa Malipatil said: “If it does not rain by next week, we will urge the state government to announce that the district has been hit by drought. The state government has to provide employment to the small farmers.” The annual repairs are on in the Tungabhadra left bank canal, he added.
“We will ask the irrigation consultative committee to let water into the canal by July 15 to ensure cultivation of paddy,” Malipatil said.
Had it not been for the lack of rains, it was expected that pulses would be grown in 46,200 hectares, oilseeds in 41,000 hectares and commercial crops like sugarcane and cotton in 55,000 hectares.
Lack of rains has brought the lives of the farmers to a standstill.