Suttur, July 29, 2026: Mysuru district generally receives adequate rainfall during June and July. However, the prevailing rainfall deficit has created drought-like conditions in several areas. Under these circumstances, farmers have been advised to adopt suitable alternative cropping systems, crop-management practices, soil and water conservation measures, and protective irrigation methods.
Farmers who have already sown crops such as cowpea, millets, peas, cotton and groundnut in rainfed areas should provide protective irrigation through sprinkler systems wherever water is available. They are also advised to maintain an optimum plant population by thinning excess cowpea plants, spraying suitable nutrients, and applying water-soluble fertilizers to support crop growth during moisture stress.
In canal-irrigated areas, farmers may plough and prepare their land in advance. Once rainfall is received, short-duration crops such as sorghum, black gram, lentil, buckwheat, millets and other cereal crops may be cultivated.
As crop production in dryland areas is entirely dependent on rainfall, greater priority should be given to fodder crops. Farmers should also pay special attention to ensuring adequate drinking water for livestock. Crops such as millets, buckwheat and fodder sorghum should be sown immediately after receiving sufficient rainfall.
Treating seeds with a 2 per cent calcium chloride solution before sowing can help improve the drought tolerance of crops.
Sowing operations should be carried out across the slope using a suitable hoe or seed drill to reduce water runoff and conserve soil moisture. In black clay soils, square basins or pits may be created to retain rainwater for a longer period. This will help conserve sufficient moisture for the subsequent sowing of crops such as sorghum, buckwheat and green gram during the winter season.
In red sandy soils, suitable pits or trenches should be created to conserve rainwater. Such measures can help improve groundwater levels and support the recharge of borewells.
Farmers have also been advised to collect, conserve and store rainwater received in the coming days. The harvested water may subsequently be used to provide protective irrigation to crops during dry spells.