Belagavi district is experiencing an 80 percent rainfall deficit during the winter season, which has significantly hindered sowing activities. The Agriculture Department had targeted 4.09 lakh hectares for cultivation, with farmers preparing to sow crops such as bajra, cowpea, wheat, and sunflower. However, due to the lack of rain, sowing has only been completed in 1,34,956 hectares, representing 32.93 percent of the target area.
From October 1 to November 9, the district received only 2.2 centimeters of rain against a normal expectation of 11.1 centimeters. In the same period last year, 7.5 centimeters of rain fell against a normal of 10.8 centimeters, resulting in a 30 percent deficit. The current rainfall shortfall is double that of the previous year, causing significant anxiety among farmers. Ravi Siddamma, a farmer from Bailhongal taluk, stated that farmers in villages including Naganoor, Hanabarti, Mutavad, Inchal, and Bailavad, who lost their soybean crops in the monsoon, are now waiting for rain to sow bajra, cowpea, and wheat. He warned that the situation will worsen if rain does not arrive soon.
H.D. Kolekar, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, noted that bajra is the primary winter crop, with a target of 1.40 lakh hectares. Due to the rainfall deficit, the bajra sowing area has decreased by 40 percent, though opportunities remain for other crops. He added that sowing for winter crops is possible until the end of December, and a single good rainfall event would allow farmers to proceed with planting. Sree Shail Hampiholi, a farmer from Bailhongal, said he has 9 acres of land, of which he has sown two acres with bajra and four with cowpea. He is waiting for rain to sow the remaining three acres with cowpea, noting that his monsoon soybean yield was also below average this year.
