Shilpa K
Mangaluru, May 12: Intensely hot and humid weather prevailing in Dakshina Kannada district is posing significant challenges for farmers. Last year, Karnataka witnessed the worst drought in the past 123 years, setting a dubious record. This year, fear is sweeping through farmers as May approaches without a trace of rain in sight. Mangaluru and Moodbidri are among the 223 taluks declared as drought-hit in the state. In regards to this, the state government is providing provisions under SDRF funds to the farmers in these regions. As dairy farmers across the district struggle to arrange fodder for their cattle in the arid land, the distribution of ‘mini-fodder kits’ among farmers is in progress.
Dr Arun Kumar, deputy director of the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services, said that under SDRF funds, the department had received around 720 mini fodder kits in November last year and 5,597 in late March. “After a complete distribution in the first phase, we have managed to distribute 2,573 mini kits till date, despite the disruptions we faced from the election, during the second phase,” he added.
Despite brief pre-monsoon showers in the surrounding taluks, Mangaluru and Moodbidri remain dry, resulting in farmers facing fodder shortages. The scathing heat has exacerbated water crises by drying up water in wells. Dr Kumar continued, “Aiming at relief, the government is providing fodder seeds consisting of two breeds, African tall maize (ATM) in packets of 6 kg and Sorghum Sudan grass (SSG) in 5kg bags.”
Dr Niranjan, a fodder supplier at KMF, Mangaluru, said, “Farmers need to sow these seeds for crop growth. The initial harvest appears after 75 days. In addition to ATM and SSG, we also provide Cowpea seeds, which are rich in legumes, and silage, which are preserved fodder. We offer them all at a subsidized price, purchasing the seed bags for Rs 60 each and selling them for Rs 30 along with a subsidy of Rs 2 on silage bags.”
Upon asking about the effect of the drought conditions resulting in added difficulty in irrigation of these seeds, Dr Niranjan said, “The silage has been of much help to farmers in these dry months. Only farmers with their irrigation system like bore wells or open wells are accepting the seeds. Some farmers are also procuring silage from neighbouring districts like Hassan and Mandya; and many others are buying maize stalks and preparing their own silage.” Dr Arun Kumar on this matter said, “We are distributing the mini fodder kits in anticipation of rain in the coming months.”
Savitha Shetty, a Moodbidri-based farmer said, “What will we do with the seeds if they give them now? We have hardly any water for drinking.” She added that the silage, however, has been helpful. Shahida, a progressive farmer having bore well water facility said she received the mini fodder kits twice, and it has been a good experience.
The fodder kits provided exclusively for the drought-hit taluks are being put to good use by farmers having water resource facilities. However, others have kept them aside for later days when there is rainfall, while presently they continue to desperately rely on silage fodder to feed their cattle and buffaloes.