Vijayapura: With the copious pre and post-monsoon rainfall, the farmers of the district have started sowing operations extensively for the present Kharif season.
According to the officials of the Agriculture Department, this year, the department has set the target of 6.9 lakh hectare for sowing area, of which a large portion of area; 4.6 lakh hectare has been set for Red Gram while 30.000 hectares for Maize and around 20,000 hectares for Bajra. The department has increased the sowing areas from last year’s 4.5 lakh hectares after conducting a crop survey.
“ The district has already received 50% of the rains in June itself, which has created a conducive atmosphere for the sowing operations. The farmers are happy for receiving adequate and timely rains for Kharif”, said Rajashekhar Williams, the Joint Director of the Agriculture Department.
He said that considering this, the department has already stocked enough fertilizers. Between June and September which is Kharif season, the district needs around 90,000 tonnes of fertilizers, however as per the present requirement, the district has 22,000 tonnes of fertilizers which is sufficient for the present need.
The fertilizer is being supplied through 20 Raita Samparka Kendras and 19 additional points set up in the district for the farmers to collect it.
Intercrop suggested
Since the farmers incur loss due to too much of rains or inadequate rains if they depend only on a single crop, the department has been suggesting the farmers to adopt an intercropping system for Kharif season.
The officials are advising the Red Gram farmers to either cultivate Sunflower or Bajra after three months of cultivation of Red Gram.
“ This will help the farmers to either to earn additional profit from both crops if the climate remains favorable, or at least they will cover the loss of one crop”, Rajashekhar said.
New variety introduced
The department this year has introduced a new Red Gram variety called GRG811, which they claim gives around 2-3 quintals of additional yield.
However the variety is recommended only for those who have irrigation facilities as the variety needs more water supply for additional yield.
