Heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday night has brought cheer to farmers in Bidar district.

Farmers, who waited for rain in the last six faming seasons, suffered crop losses and strived to rear cattle with scarce water and green grass, were relieved when most parts of the district received heavy rain for more than three hours on Saturday and Sunday night.

As much as 8.6 mm rainfall was received on June 4 and 11.8 mm on June 5.

A boon

Meanwhile, scientists say that it is a boon for farmers. “It will help them in preparing land,” Ravi Deshmukh, farm scientist from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, has said.

“It will reduce soil temperature and soften the soil that will help farmers take up ploughing, bunding and carving out channels,” he said.

Farmers are likely to choose soya, green gram, black gram, jowar and red gram this season.

Due to the trend in soya prices remaining high in some seasons, area under this crop is likely to increase, he said.

Officers elated

And, officers are elated. The spell of rain has addressed several issues, said K. Zia Ulla, Joint Director of Agriculture.

First, it has helped animals, by filling surface water bodies such as tanks and lakes. And, second, it has rejuvenated springs in the open wells.

With one or two more spells of rain, open wells in the district will begin yielding harvestable amounts of water, he said.

This rain is a morale booster for farmers who will now plan and prepare for cultivation, he said.

Seeds, fertilizer

The department is making arrangements for distribution of seeds and fertilizer to farmers through the Raitha Samparka Kendras and other outlets, he said.

He said that the district is likely to get between 100 per cent and 120 per cent rainfall this monsoon.

Bidar district receives an annual aggregated rainfall of 885 mm.

Of the 9.1 lakh acres of cultivable land in the district, around 7.5 lakh acres will be taken up for sowing during the kharif.

Foodgrains

Foodgrains will be sown in nearly 80 per cent of the area. Sugarcane and other commercial crops will be taken in around 10 per cent of the area.

Horticulture and plantation crops will cover the rest of the area.