Heavy rains in Bidar on Saturday night and Sunday has brought cheer to farmers in the district.
Farmers who had waited for rains for six agriculture seasons, suffered crop losses and strived hard to rear cattle with scarce water and green grass, were relieved when most parts of the district received heavy rain for more than three hours on both days. A total of 8.6 mm rainfall was received on June 4 and 11.8 mm on June 5.
Scientists say it is a boon for farmers. “It will help them in land preparations,” Ravi Deshmukh, farm scientist from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, said. “It will reduce soil temperature and soften the soil that helps farmers take up ploughing, bunding and carving out channels.” Farmers are likely to choose soya, green gram, black gram, jowar and red gram. Due to the trend of soya prices remaining high for some seasons, the area under this crop is likely to increase, he said.
Officers are elated. “It has addressed several of our issues,” says K. Zia Ulla, Joint Director of Agriculture. First, it has helped animals, by filling surface water bodies such as tanks and lakes. It has rejuvenated springs in open wells. With just one or two more spell rains, open wells in the district will begin yielding harvestable amounts of water.
The department is arranging distribution of seeds and fertilizers to farmers through its Raitha Samparka Kendras and other outlets, he said. The district is likely to get between 100-120 per cent rainfall. Bidar district receives an annual aggregated rainfall of 885 mm.
Of the 9.1 lakh acres of cultivable land in the district, around 7.5 lakh acres will be sown in Kharif. Foodgrains will be sown in nearly 80 per cent of the area. Sugarcane and other commercial crops occupy around 10 per cent area. Horticulture and plantation crops add up the other 10 per cent.
