Udupi: Coastal Farmers Look to Skies for Some Relief
 
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
Pics: Durga Digitals
 
Udupi, Jul 25: Farming families are distressed over the shortfall of rains during this monsoon season, owing to which their farm lands are parched.  Over thousands of hectares of paddy fields in the district are parched as the rains are not to be seen for the past 15–20 days.

The district experienced moderate rains at the onset of the monsoon season, but has been playing hide and seek since then resulting in damage to paddy cultivation and multiple crops; saplings of which were burnt owing to soaring temperatures. The farming communities which are dependant on monsoon crops that they grow on plateaus, are the worst affected. 

A significant number of paddy cultivators across the coastal district are eyeing the skies hoping the the rain gods will shower abundantly. Natural water bodies, including ponds and streams have dried up since the monsoon has not made a comeback after a lull over the past few weeks. Usually they are overflowing during this time of the year. 
 
The saplings that were planted during the initial rains have almost dried up owing to the wrath of the rain gods. Meanwhile, the contagious disease chikungunya borne by mosquitoes has also made its presence felt in these areas posing an additional setback to farming families.

The drought which used to plague Uttar Kannada in the past threatens the coastal district and requires the immediate intervention of state government to rescue farmers. Farmers face a shortage of water which they require for irrigation, and this has been hampered by irregular electricity supply. 

Locally-grown rice which was sold for Rs 1,200 per quintal at the beginning of the monsoon is now selling at Rs 2,000 per quintal. This has been a major blow to the poor who find it harder still to make ends meet.