Vijayapura: The farmers’ crop survey which has already started in the district, has done remarkably well with Vijayapura district securing first position in the State.
According to Joint Director, Agriculture Department, Rajshekhar William, with completion of a total 19.58% survey of crop by farmers using mobile app, the district has already covered 115266 plots.
The second position has been achieved by Gadag district with 16.91% survey completed by covering 51022 plots.
Mysuru is last among all districts where only 0.01% survey is over by covering only 89 plots.
In Vijayapura district also, Talikot taluk stands first with 30.91 % survey while Tikota stands last with only 10.46% survey.
“We are doing far better in the district with regard to crop survey. The farmers have taken interest and the officials are making every effort to educate them on this important aspect”, William said.
He however admitted that more farmers should learn the method as many farmers either do not have smart phone or they are not educated to complete the survey on their own.
“When farmers do not do the job on their own, then it is the department which does the survey. However, we wish the farmers would do the job”, he said.
Referring to the present rainfall and crop status, he said that the district has been receiving copious rains since a few days. It is good for standing crops, mainly Toor which has been cultivated over 4.67 lakh hectare area of the district.
However, he made it clear that continued usage of the same crop will affect crop quality and become vulnerable to pests. Since the last several years, the farmers are extensively cultivating only Toor in the district.
“The farmers should not cultivate the same variety for too long or they should change the variety of seeds of the same crop”.
He informed that the department is so far promoting GRG811vareirty, however the variety needs more water and its harvesting days are higher by 10 days.
“Therefore, we are urging Agriculture University to come with a short duration Toor crop of around 170 days for districts such as Vijayapura. This will avoid moisture stress in the crop”, he said.
Hoping that by next year, the University will have improved variety, he said that the department will promote only that variety among the farmers from next Kharif season.
