A deficit monsoon helps sprout too many news. The latest germination is from the Agriculture Department. Sources there say that the shortfall in rains this season has brought down the area of cultivation by nearly 3,900 ha in Coimbatore district.
By June-July, the district ought to have seen cultivation in a little over 11,500 ha but has thus far seen cultivation in only around 7,800 ha. Most affected is the millet cultivation area.
The sources say that paddy cultivation is the least affected because farmers take up cultivation only in assured irrigation areas – places where canal irrigation system ensures water supply - in Anamalai and Thondamuthur.
Worst hit
The worst affected areas are Sultanpet, Karamadai, S.S. Kulam, Annur, Kinathukadavu and parts of Pollachi and Periyanaickenpalayam. These areas and other parts of the district, this year, have received only 102.5 mm rain as against the average rainfall 232.5 m.
This works out to minus 56 per cent of the average and minus 72 per cent of last year's 368.8 mm.
The sources say the Agriculture Department is opting for Plan B to negate the impact of shortage of rain by going in for maize and pulses (Bengal gram and green gram).
It has asked the Agriculture Extension Officers to sensitise the farmers to go in for the aforementioned crops and not take up cultivation of conventional ones.
By doing so, the Department wants to meet the target the Agriculture Production Commissioner has given – to produce 120 lakh metric tonnes food grains for the year for the State.
In this regard, Agriculture Secretary Sandeep Saxena had, a couple of days ago, held meetings through video conference with the officials, the sources point out.
The sources add that the Department, in order to mitigate farmers' woes, is also promoting integrated farming and micro irrigation. In integrated farming, the farmers also take up poultry, sericulture and a few other allied activities so that the loss of income is compensated by additional revenue.
