Ballari: Continuous showers over the past week have sparked fresh optimism among farmers in Ballari district, encouraging them to restart agricultural operations with renewed energy. Following Maghi Hunnime (full moon), many had begun field preparation by clearing debris and mixing compost — work that has now quickened thanks to the well-timed rainfall.
The recent showers have created ideal soil conditions for sowing major crops such as toor dal (red gram), cotton, bajra (pearl millet), navane (foxtail millet), and sunflower. Long-stored agricultural implements are now in active use as farmers clear dryland plots and ready irrigated fields by incorporating organic matter.
Sowing is already underway in rainfed tracts, while in irrigated zones, compost application and cleanup efforts are ongoing. Agricultural officials report that seed stocks for bajra, navane, toor, and sunflower are available at all farmer service centres across Ballari. Paddy varieties like RNR and Sona Masuri have also been stocked for regions with irrigation.
T. Somasundar, Joint Director of Agriculture, confirmed ample supplies of fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides, distributed through 13 farmer service points and 2 temporary centres, totaling 15 outlets. Ballari, which averages 599.5 mm of rain annually, has already received 88.4 mm — a 64% rise compared to 53.6 mm by the same time last year.
The district aims to sow 1.63 lakh hectares this kharif season, including 89,000 ha of paddy and 35,000 ha of cotton. Monitoring squads will crack down on the sale of low-quality farm inputs. Farmers are urged to buy only from licensed vendors and to insist on purchase receipts.
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