Mysuru: Mysuru district recorded a 59% deficit in South West Monsoon rainfall between June 1 and September 30, severely affecting the Kharif season and causing crop losses across more than 1.43 lakh hectares, according to the district administration.
The figures were presented to the Centre’s Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which visited Mysuru district to assess the drought situation and the extent of agricultural losses.
The district administration has sought relief of Rs 12,234.22 lakh under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms for the affected farmers.
Only 73% of target area sown
During the Kharif season, which runs from June to September, farmers in Mysuru district completed sowing on 2,76,394 hectares, against the target of 3,76,609 hectares.
This means sowing was completed on around 73% of the targeted agricultural area. The shortfall was attributed largely to inadequate South West Monsoon rainfall and the resulting drought conditions.
Of the area cultivated, crops on 1,43,308 hectares suffered losses of more than 33%, according to the assessment presented to the central team.
The crop-loss figures cover all major taluks of Mysuru district, highlighting the widespread impact of the deficient monsoon.
Hunsur records highest crop loss
Among the taluks, Hunsur recorded the highest area affected by crop loss at 39,034 hectares.
The crop-loss area reported from other taluks was:
- H D Kote: 26,646 hectares
- Saragur: 14,617 hectares
- Hunsur: 39,034 hectares
- K R Nagar: 10,732 hectares
- Saligrama: 12,927 hectares
- Mysuru: 12,599 hectares
- Nanjangud: 21,959 hectares
- T Narasipur: 4,794 hectares
The extent of damage reflects the impact of the rainfall deficit on rain-fed agriculture during the Kharif season.
District receives just 172.4 mm rainfall
Mysuru district received an average of only 172.4 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30, compared with the normal South West Monsoon average of 418.5 mm.
The rainfall deficit was recorded across all nine taluks.
K R Nagar recorded the highest deficit at 70%, followed by Saragur at 62% and Nanjangud at 61%. Hunsur and Saligrama recorded deficits of 59% each.
The taluk-wise rainfall deficit was:
- H D Kote: 39%
- Hunsur: 59%
- K R Nagar: 70%
- Mysuru: 56%
- Nanjangud: 61%
- Periyapatna: 56%
- T Narasipur: 43%
- Saragur: 62%
- Saligrama: 59%
The widespread rainfall shortage affected both sowing operations and crop growth, particularly in rain-fed agricultural areas.
Sowing affected across taluks
The shortage of rainfall also resulted in considerable variation in the area brought under cultivation across Mysuru district.
H D Kote recorded sowing on 28,771 hectares, accounting for 80% of its target. In Saragur, farmers sowed 17,392 hectares, or 70% of the targeted area.
Hunsur recorded sowing on 59,592 hectares, equivalent to 78% of the target, while K R Nagar recorded 18,416 hectares, or 71%.
In Saligrama, farmers sowed 22,030 hectares, accounting for 75% of the target. Periyapatna recorded sowing on 52,035 hectares, or 78%.
In Mysuru taluk, sowing was completed on 22,022 hectares, representing 68% of the target. Nanjangud recorded 36,908 hectares, or 73%, while T Narasipur recorded the lowest sowing coverage at 56%, with 19,228 hectares brought under cultivation.
Rain-fed lands face greater vulnerability
Mysuru district has 1,00,053 hectares of irrigated agricultural land that depends on water from rivers and dams. In addition, the district has around 2,76,556 hectares of Kushki, or rain-fed, agricultural land.
The substantial share of rain-dependent farmland makes the district particularly vulnerable to a deficient monsoon.
With rainfall remaining well below normal during the crucial Kharif period, farmers faced difficulties in completing sowing as well as sustaining crops through the growing season. The reported crop losses have consequently increased the demand for drought relief.
District seeks Rs 1,223 crore relief
Based on the assessment, the Mysuru district administration has sought Rs 12,234.22 lakh in relief under SDRF norms. This amounts to approximately Rs 1,223.42 crore.
The demand was placed before the Inter-Ministerial Central Team during its visit to assess the drought conditions and crop losses.
The assessment by the central team is significant for determining the extent of assistance required by drought-hit farmers. With the monsoon season having ended with a substantial rainfall deficit, farmers and district authorities are now looking towards relief measures to mitigate the impact of crop losses.
The data presented to the IMCT underscores the scale of the agricultural crisis in Mysuru, where inadequate rainfall affected sowing, crop growth and overall Kharif production across the district.