Standing crops in rain-fed areas continue to suffer due to deficit rainfall recorded in the district during the current kharif season.
Though it has been raining, in drizzles, for the past couple of days, it was not of much help for standing crops, particularly maize. However, some of the long-term crops such as groundnut and pulses may recover to some extent.
The district has recorded an average actual rainfall of 120 mm as against the average normal rainfall of 176 mm leaving a deficit of 32 % between June 1 and August 13, 2018.
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The following is the taluk-wise rainfall data recorded between June 1 and August 13 this year; figures in bracket indicate normal rainfall in mm: Ballari 69 (128), Sirguppa 124 (195), Sandur 130 (221), Kudligi 141 (166), Hosapete 128 (195), Hagari Bommanahalli 121 (175) and Hadagali 151 (191).
Meanwhile, due to deficit rainfall sowing in rain-fed areas has shown a marginal increase. However, the overall sowing percentage has been 62.14 with sowing/transplantation of paddy taken up in the irrigated belt.
As against the total targeted area of 3.65 lakh hectares — 2.09 lakh hectares rain-fed and 1.55 lakh hectares irrigated, sowing has been completed in 1.42 lakh hectares in rain-fed and 0.83 lakh hectares in irrigated area.
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Sources in the Agricultural Department told The Hindu that the condition of maize cultivated in rain-fed (around 60,000 hectares) area was pathetic. The growth has been stunted and the crop is likely to be severely affected. However, the drizzles being experienced in the past couple of days, has supported groundnut and pulses, among other crops, in recovering from the moisture stress they have been facing.
“If it had drizzled at least a fortnight earlier, all the standing crops, including maize, could have made considerable recovery,” the sources added.