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Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, June 17: Inadequate rainfall across Udupi district has triggered concern among paddy farmers, with the second week of June already nearing completion and the region still awaiting substantial monsoon showers.

According to sources from the District Disaster Management Authority, pre-monsoon rainfall this year has also remained below normal. Although the district typically receives significant showers during the pre-monsoon period, recorded rainfall has fallen considerably short of the seasonal average.

The deficient rainfall is expected to adversely impact agricultural operations, particularly paddy cultivation, which is heavily dependent on rainwater in the district. Farmers say sufficient water has not accumulated in many paddy fields, resulting in delays in land preparation, sowing and transplantation activities.

Only farmers who have adopted mechanised farming methods have been able to prepare mat nurseries (Chape Neji). However, despite seedlings being ready for transplantation, the lack of adequate rainfall has prevented ploughing operations in several fields, leaving cultivators anxious.

Farmers who have followed the traditional direct sowing method have also been affected, with several reporting that germinated seeds have dried up due to insufficient soil moisture.

Interestingly, while excessive and continuous rainfall last year hampered the preparation of mat nurseries, this year’s hot and dry conditions are slowing farming operations for the opposite reason.

With no sustained rainfall in sight, some farmers have been forced to pump water from wells into their fields to begin land preparation. Most farmers in the district cultivate the MO4 paddy variety, which takes around 140 to 180 days to mature, and cultivators warn that further delays in transplantation could adversely impact yield and overall productivity.

Many farmers have already prepared mat nursery seedlings and are ready for transplantation in the coming days. However, if rainfall continues to remain deficient and field preparation is delayed further, transplantation may be postponed, potentially leading to reduced yields.

At present, only farmers with access to irrigation facilities are able to proceed with field preparation, while the majority continue to wait for adequate rainfall.

Speaking on the situation, farmer Rikesh Palan Kadekar said, “Like every year, we prepared mat nurseries expecting sufficient rainfall in June. However, the delay in rain has created serious difficulties. The mat nursery seedlings must be transplanted within 15 days; otherwise, they may get spoiled. The seedlings we prepared have already reached that stage, but there are still no signs of rain. Though the IMD has issued rainfall alerts, the weather remains hot and dry. There is simply not enough water in the fields for transplantation.”

With the monsoon yet to establish itself firmly, farmers across the district continue to hope for timely rainfall to safeguard the season’s paddy cultivation.