Belagavi: Despite a 4% monsoon rainfall deficit, Belagavi district has achieved 95% of its sowing target, covering 7.16 lakh hectares against the planned 7.52 lakh hectares, the highest in Karnataka. Officials said there is no shortage of seeds, fertilisers or farm equipment. Farmers remain optimistic, and with favourable weather conditions continuing, the district is expected to witness a good harvest this season.The district administration officials said that in the current monsoon season, Belagavi district received 341 mm of rain, out of a normal rainfall 354 mm, which is a 4% deficit.Agriculture department officials said that paddy has been sown in 49,554 hectares against the target of 55,925 hectares (88.61%), cow pea in 1,17,001 hectares against the 1,54,032 hectares (75.9%), soyabean in 1,10,726 hectares against 99,000 hectares (111.8%), green gram in 55,044 hectares against 47,752 hectares (115.2%), tur dal in 14,084 hectares against 14,600 hectares (96.4%), black gram in 17,204 hectares against 15,000 hectares (114.6%), groundnut in 13,166 hectares against 13,230 hectares (99.5%), cotton in 17,578 hectares against 25,000 hectares ( 70.3%), sugarcane in 3,11,220 hectares against 3,05,000 hectares (102.04 %), other crops including millets have been sown in 10,457 hectares against 22,773 hectares (45.9%) of target.Highest sowing in four taluksThe officials of the agricultural department said that it is noteworthy that the area under sugarcane, soybean, green gram and black gram crops has exceeded the target of sowing. It is noteworthy that this time the sowing rate in Savadatti is 105%, Bailhongal 104%, Kittur and Nippani 100%.In Athani, 91% of the sowing target has been achieved, in Kagwad it is 92%, Belagavi 84%, Chikodi 99%, Gokak 92%, Mudalagi 92%, Hukkeri 94%, Khanapur 94%, Raibag 95%, Ramdurg 91%, while in Yaragatti, 94% of the area has been sown.Sufficient seeds and fertiliserRahul Shinde, chief executive officer, zilla panchayat, said that there was a demand of 37,543 quintals of various sowing seeds for the monsoon season, of which 37,267 quintals were stocked and 31,669 quintals have been distributed so far. Currently, 5,598 quintals of various sowing seeds are available in stock and there is no shortage of sowing seeds. He said that steps have also been taken for the proper implementation of many schemes that will benefit farmers.HD Kolekar, joint director of the agriculture department, said that there was a requirement of 2,50,736 tonnes of fertiliser for the monsoon season. So far, 2,87,370 tonnes of fertiliser have been supplied to the district. 8,408 tonnes of urea and 1,265 tonnes of DAP fertilisers have also been stockpiled under the department scheme.Overall, Belagavi district leads Karnataka in terms of overall sowing volume.
