Tag Archives: Shabana Sheikh

Hot sun, not rain, leads to umbrella use in Karnataka’s Kodagu

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, , , , , , , , , ,

Growers of coffee and pepper, the key commercial crops in the district, may land in trouble, if the situation continues.

Hot sun, not rain, leads to umbrella use in Karnataka's Kodagu
People and street vendors use umbrellas to protect themselves from the scorching sun in Madikeri, an unusual scene in August. Credit: DH Photo 

In monsoon every year, Kodagu is among the districts to receive the highest rainfall in the state. But this year, except for a few days in July, the rains have played hide and seek here.

The situation is best captured in the maximum temperature of 30º Celsius recorded in Kodagu district on August 11, creating panic among people, especially agriculturists.

Usually, August is a wet month for the district. The rains bring down the temperature to less than 25º Celsius. However, this time, the rains are conspicuous by their absence, pushing up the mercury levels. The 30º Celsius recorded in August this year is the highest in the last five years.

It is common sight for people to sport umbrellas for protection when the skies open up. But umbrellas are out for an unusual reason in the district these days, protection from the hot sun. 

Coffee & pepper

It is now common talk in the district that growers of coffee and pepper, the key commercial crops in the district, may land in trouble, if the situation continues. There has been no rain in the first 15 days of August. This month, there is a 81% shortage of rains.

Instead of the normal of 31 cm rain, there was only 5 cm rain. In the current monsoon, the district is facing a 42% deficit in rainfall.

Coffee grower Harish Madappa from Srimangala said the Lakshmanateertha river was not even half full.

Drinking water

In previous years, there would usually be floods in the river. The situation is so dreary this time that there could even be a shortage for drinking water, he said.

Agriculture department joint director Shabana M Sheikh said that only 40% transplantation of paddy has been undertaken in the district this year. The crops will be affected, if there are no rains in the near future, she said. Krishi Vigyan Kendra weather expert Chengappa said the monsoon clouds are weak as of now. There is no possibility of heavy rain in the next five days, he said.

Special prayers

The Akhila Kodava Samaja has planned to offer special prayers at the Padi Iggutappa temple on August 17 for rains. The Samaja’s youth wing president Chammatira Pravin Uttappa said this was the first time he had seen prayers being offered for rains in the month of August. 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by K S Girish / August 17th, 2023

Kodagu: Paddy cultivation takes a back seat owing to weather changes and wildlife conflict

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, , , , , , ,

Several farmlands in South Kodagu have been abandoned owing to bad weather conditions and the increased movement of wild elephants.

Image used for representational purpose.

Madikeri:

Paddy cultivation in the district is receding compared to yesteryears as farming is yet to pick up pace this monsoon. Changing weather conditions, natural disasters and increased wildlife conflict are other factors affecting paddy cultivation. It is said that only 48 hectares of land have been cultivated with paddy. 

Over six years ago, nearly 35,000 hectares of farmlands across Kodagu were cultivated with paddy crops. But, the extent of the cultivation has diminished over the years as the target for paddy cultivation has now been reduced to 30,500 hectares by the agriculture department.

“The increasing wildlife conflict can be seen as one of the reasons for the farmers to give up paddy cultivation in several farmlands in the district. Further, many farmers have also taken to the cultivation of horticulture crops. Increased conversion of farmlands to areca nut estates has reduced paddy cultivation,” opined Shabana Sheikh, the Joint Director of the Agriculture Department.

A total of 23180 hectares of farmland was cultivated with paddy achieving a target of 76% last year. Over 384 hectares suffered crop loss due to rainfall last year. 

The farmers of South Kodagu have increasingly given up paddy cultivation. Out of the 14000 hectares of targeted cultivation, only 9960 hectares were cultivated for paddy last year. Several farmlands in South Kodagu have been abandoned owing to bad weather conditions and the increased movement of wild elephants.

With monsoons delayed in the region this year, the paddy transplantation work is yet to pick up pace in the district. In Madikeri taluk, only 40 hectares of farmlands have recorded paddy transplantation work to date this year. Meanwhile, eight hectares of farmland have witnessed paddy transplantation in Somwarpet taluk. Nevertheless, as per the data recorded by the department, no farmlands have yet been cultivated for paddy due to delayed rains across South Kodagu including in Virajpet and Ponnampet taluks.    

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 11th, 2023