The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) has come up with a contingency crop plan for southern Karnataka to tackle drought.
UAS Vice-Chancellor Dr K Narayana Gowda said the contingency crop plan submitted to the State government lays stress on growing alternative crops and cultivating choices that are in tune with rainfall and soil fertility in the region. “The focus of the plan is on south interior Karnataka as the region accounts for a major share of State’s agriculture production. Moreover, many districts in the region are reeling under drought. The situation in Bangalore rural, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Dakshina Kannada, Mandya, Kolar, Kodagu, Davangere, Hassan and Tumkur districts call for immediate attention,” he said. The contingency plan developed by the UAS is district-specific and based on crop varieties identified by the varsity as best suited for the districts, he added.
Short term crops
Dr Gowda said farmers should be told to grow crops that require less water. Short-term crops should be grown more. Also in the current scenario, farmers should avail crop insurance. Moreover, the key to sustain agriculture in times of drought is efficient water management, he added. When questioned about hurdles in implementing the crop contingency plan, the vice chancellor said with the coordination of the Department of Agriculture and the Seeds Corporation, the plan can be effectively executed.
Farmers’ contact centres and agriculture extension officers play a vital role in addressing drought in the State, said a senior UAS scientist.
“According to the data available with the government, 35,000 quintals of seeds is the stock available in the State, this season. Of the total amount of seeds, 26,000 quintals comprise cereals. In the past three months 27,000 quintals of seeds have been supplied to farmers, while another 10,000 quintals are set aside for delayed sowing options,” he said.
Shortage of seedsHowever, another scientist with the UAS said all was not well with the contingency crop plan as the university was not equipped to carry out the plan. Moreover, there is a dearth of seed varieties and a problem with the seed chain.“So, the need of the hour is seed banks, which can help tackle drought in the future,” he added. Grow fodder
On better handling of drought, Dr D Nuthan, UAS Associate Director of Research, said farmers should grow fodder whenever there was shortage of rainfall. At least, cattle would be saved from hunger.
“If we fail to receive good rainfall by September 2, farmers should opt to grow fodder varieties. This is called compensatory agriculture, as it ensures sustainability for the next season,” she added.