Intermittent rains and cloudy weather conditions over the last few days in Kodagu district have set the tone for the onset of monsoon, and agricultural activities have gained momentum.

The district received an average of 11.97 mm of rainfall on Monday as against 5.03 mm during the corresponding period last year.

Madikeri taluk received 22.95 mm of rainfall, while the taluk received 405.88 mm from January to May this year. Reports indicate that the rainfall has been uniform and widespread across the district. Virajpet taluk received 11.03 mm of rain on Monday, while Somwarpet received 1.93 mm. Hobli-wise rainfall statistics indicate that Madikeri kasaba received 17 mm, Napoklu 20.8 mm, Sampaji 13.4 mm, and Bhagamandala 40.6 mm of rainfall on Monday.

B.B. Pushpavathi, Municipal Commissioner, has appealed to people living in low-lying areas to shift to safer locations as there were forecasts of heavy rainfall across the district.

The inflow into Harangi reservoir was recorded at 258 cusecs as against an inflow of 119 cusecs the same day last year.

The Kodagu district information and publicity department said the conditions were right for the onset of monsoon in Kodagu and has buoyed the spirits of farmers and the agricultural community in general. Meanwhile, nearly 31,000 hectares of farmland will be brought under paddy cultivation this year. A release appealed to farmers to take precautionary measures against outbreak of various crop diseases by treating the seeds and saplings.

Maize is the second most important crop in the district and about 4,000 hectares was expected to be brought under cultivation. Fisheries will receive fresh impetus during the season and the authorities plan to distribute nearly 48 lakh fishlings during 2016-17 under pisciculture programmes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – June 14th, 2016

Somwarpet :

Though the pepper growing area has been increasing in the district, the production is badly hit by drought this year. Experts estimate the yield could come down 20-25 per cent in the current season.

Pepper cultivation has become popular as prices increased more than three-fold in four years – from Rs 200 a kg to the current Rs 700. According to the Horticulture Department, pepper is grown on 10,857 hectares in the district, and approximately 5,000 tonnes of yield is expected.

District horticulture assistant director Pramod told Express on Tuesday that pepper production will be lower by at least 20-25 percent this year owing to drought. Normally the district receives the first rainfall of the year during February-March, but this year 70 per cent of the district failed to get rainfall even in April.

Pepper vines perish

In the parched areas of the district like Yedavare, Yedavanadu, Banavara, Kodlipet, Siddapura, Balele and Tithimathi, young pepper vines have wilted and died.

In many estates affluent growers were able to save the vines as well as their other crops using sprinklers. N K Palangappa, a small pepper grower in Gonikoppa, told Express that he lost nearly 50 per cent of his crop this year as he has no irrigation facilities. He said he was earning more income from pepper than from coffee, but this year it will not be be possible.

Karnataka is the largest pepper producer in India by overtaking Kerala two years ago.

Karnataka accounted for 33,000 tonnes of pepper last year, Kerala 28,000 tonnes and Tamil Nadu 9,000 tonnes. The total pepper production in India was 70,000 tonnes last year.

Spices Board marketing director S Kannan said the production of pepper in India is estimated at 53,000 tonnes this year. He said nearly 20-25 percent of the pepper crop has been lost in Karnataka and more than 30 per cent in Kerala.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / Express News Service / May 25th, 2016