Rabi sowing picking up in Ballari district

The district received more than normal rainfall in October first week

As much as 15 per cent of the targeted area of sowing for the rabi season has been covered in Ballari district.

With the district receiving more than normal rainfall in October first week, farmers are hopeful of getting a good yield in the rabi season.

The farmers had suffered crop loss due to the failure of the monsoon during kharif season this year.

The district recorded an average actual rainfall of 77.2 mm against the normal of 40.9 mm in October first week.

The rainfall received was not only in excess, but was also widespread enabling farmers to take up sowing.

Following is the taluk-wise break-up of the rainfall recorded in the district in the first week of October. Figures in bracket indicate normal rainfall in mm. Ballari 79.2 (38); Hadagali 95.8 (42.8); Hosapete 66.7 (41.4); Hagari Bommanahalli 74.8 (29); Kudligi 72.6 (43); Sandur 101 (43.5 and Sirguppa 46.8 (49.3).

Due to the failure of the monsoon, vast patches of kharif area had remained unsown and the farmers destroyed the crops in rain-fed area.

These areas are also being covered under rabi. As a result, the targeted area has gone up from 1.67 lakh hectares (ha) to 2.04 lakh ha, sources in Agriculture Department told The Hindu .

Bengal gram, rabi jowar, sunflower, cotton, maize are among other main crops cultivated during the rabi season.

With good rain in September and continuous rain in October first week, 15 per cent of the targeted area of sowing has been covered.