Karnataka: Monsoon to bring cheers to parched farmers

BANGALORE: The South- West Monsoon may bring cheers to Karnataka farmers, which is expected to hit coastal Karnataka by June 2.If agriculture meteorologists’ predictions are right, the state might receive 5 per cent excess rainfall over the seasonal normal of 805 mm.“The South-West Monsoon, which is crucial for agricultural operations, will set in through coastal Kerala on June 1, and is expected to hit coastal Karnataka the following day.The state will receive up to 850 mm this year, which is above normal,” said M B Rajegowda, Professor of Agrometeorology at GKVK, and Head of All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology.The state received an average rainfall of 811 mm in 2011, with Mandya (151 mm), Chamarajanagar (188 mm), Tumkur (272 mm), Bijapur (284), Bellary (299 mm) and Raichur (305 mm) recording “least” rainfall.He said the monsoon would become active from the second week of June, and last till mid week of October.“Farmers dependent on monsoon rains should opt for long-duration crops such as sunflower, groundnut, ragi, maize and red gram for better yield,” Gowda said.He said interior Karnataka would receive 7-8 per cent higher rainfall. “However, between July 6-15, there will be drizzling with cloudy weather, and from July second week, there will be a heavy spell of rain,” he added.“Sugarcane growers must start sowing in July, while farmers wanting to grow short-duration crops can start sowing in August when moisture content in the soil will be higher,” he said.GKVK provides timely information to farmers and other stakeholders on farming and allied activities to boost food production and prevent crop losses due to drought or floods.