Coimbatore : Farmers dependent on the south west monsoon for cultivating the kharif crops would have to rethink on their decision, as deficit rainfalls during this season compared to previous years, is expected to affect the cultivation, say experts from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) here.
Coimbatore : Farmers dependent on the south west monsoon for cultivating the kharif crops would have to rethink on their decision, as deficit rainfalls during this season compared to previous years, is expected to affect the cultivation, say experts from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) here.
Instead of kharif crops, the experts in TNAU suggest farmers to cultivate millets and pulses, that are less water consuming.
According to S.P. Ramnathan, Director, TNAU's Agro Climate Research Centre, the deficit rainfall is caused due to changing climatic conditions. He said they concluded this after studying the southern oscillation index and the increasing sea surface temperatures, which would have affected the monsoon winds.
"As far as Coimbatore is concerned, there will be deficit rainfall. Coimbatore usually receives more rainfall during the south west monsoon. Compared to previous year, the district which received 42mm rainfall has just received 21mm rainfall. Likewise, in July there should be a rainfall of 50mm, but we have received less than only 10mm of rainfall", said the Agro-Climate Director who warned that the situation is likely to continue even during August.
Hence, the farmers should cultivate millets and pulses, as they have less consumption of water and they mature in 50 days, he advised.
"The water which is required for 1 acre of land, will be enough to irrigate and cultivate 5 acres of pulses and millets. Since there is also very good market for millets and pulses, farmers will be benefitted by it. The farmers are also recommended to go for mulching for tree crops covering the surface to reduce evaporation rate. Those farmers having sufficient water are suggested to use drip irrigation instead of flooding the field", he noted.
"However, there is hope for farmers of good rainfall, as the North East monsoon from September- November, is expected to be normal, especially due to expected El Nino effect, the monsoons will bring good rainfall. Hence the farmers, who cultivate Rabi crops during this period, can do the farming and reap high cultivation", predicted the expert from TNAU.
Expressing his concern, Ramanathan said that due to changes in climate the numer of rainy days have reduced, though the quantity of water remains more or same.
He said there was mean rainfall of 69mm annually, during which least 2.5mm of rainfall was received. However, now the raifall has reduced from usual 42 days to 32 days. The government is hence taking steps to collect rainfall this time, he added.
Instead of kharif crops, the experts in TNAU suggest farmers to cultivate millets and pulses, that are less water consuming.
According to S.P. Ramnathan, Director, TNAU's Agro Climate Research Centre, the deficit rainfall is caused due to changing climatic conditions. He said they concluded this after studying the southern oscillation index and the increasing sea surface temperatures, which would have affected the monsoon winds.
"As far as Coimbatore is concerned, there will be deficit rainfall. Coimbatore usually receives more rainfall during the south west monsoon. Compared to previous year, the district which received 42mm rainfall has just received 21mm rainfall. Likewise, in July there should be a rainfall of 50mm, but we have received less than only 10mm of rainfall", said the Agro-Climate Director who warned that the situation is likely to continue even during August.
Hence, the farmers should cultivate millets and pulses, as they have less consumption of water and they mature in 50 days, he advised.
"The water which is required for 1 acre of land, will be enough to irrigate and cultivate 5 acres of pulses and millets. Since there is also very good market for millets and pulses, farmers will be benefitted by it. The farmers are also recommended to go for mulching for tree crops covering the surface to reduce evaporation rate. Those farmers having sufficient water are suggested to use drip irrigation instead of flooding the field", he noted.
"However, there is hope for farmers of good rainfall, as the North East monsoon from September- November, is expected to be normal, especially due to expected El Nino effect, the monsoons will bring good rainfall. Hence the farmers, who cultivate Rabi crops during this period, can do the farming and reap high cultivation", predicted the expert from TNAU.
Expressing his concern, Ramanathan said that due to changes in climate the numer of rainy days have reduced, though the quantity of water remains more or same.
He said there was mean rainfall of 69mm annually, during which least 2.5mm of rainfall was received. However, now the raifall has reduced from usual 42 days to 32 days. The government is hence taking steps to collect rainfall this time, he added.