The weather has been favorable in the state of Karnataka for the farmers to reap a good produce in this season. Karnataka Agriculture Minister Mr. B.C. Patil has issued a press statement saying that there are chances of record yield of agricultural produce in this Kharif season. Sowing is already done over three lakh hectares in the state because of good pre monsoon rains. The state government targets a sowing area of 77 lakh hectares.
Agriculture is one of the most essential attribute of Karnataka economy. The topography of Karnataka such as the city's relief, soil, and climate immensely supports the agricultural activities in Karnataka. The Kharif crops in Karnataka comprise millets, paddy (rice), maize, moong (pulses), groundnut, red chilies, cotton, soybean, sugarcane, rice, and turmeric. It is also known as the Autumn harvest as it is cropped around beginning of the first rains in the month of July.
Karnataka is also highly potential for its horticulture production and it ranks second in this aspect in India. Horticulture generates 40 percent of the total income of the state. Karnataka is one of the major price driving markets for Cotton and Maize, and while trading in cotton and maize futures, it is essential to track the demand-supply situation of Karnataka as well.
The state is expected to produce 101.38 lakh tonnes of food grains and 10.85 lakh tonnes of oilseeds in this season. The statement issued by the Karnataka Agriculture Minister Mr. B.C. Patil says that there is sufficient stock of fertilizers and seeds to meet the demand during the Kharif season.
Despite the underlying pandemic challenges the Agriculture Department could distribute nearly six lakh quintals of seeds to farmers and has 1,74,653 quintals in stock reportedly. Mr. BC Patil added that the department has distributed over 5.67 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers in April and May and at present the available stock with the department is 12,38,600 metric tonnes.
