Low rainfall to affect Karnataka rabi output

Lack of rainfall and absence of moisture in some district of Karnataka may affect the state's rabi output.

Currently, sowing is on throughout the state and as per the provisional data by the Karnataka agriculture department, sowing is normal in 14 districts, below normal in 12 districts and neglible in one district.

According to E Venkataiah, Karnataka commissioner of agriculture, the government has already disbursed 75 per cent of the seed subsidy to farmers and is concerned over lack of rainfall and absence of moisture in a few districts. The government is keenly observing the advance of north-east monsoon.

Karnataka's main rabi crops are Bengal gram, jowar, wheat and safflower. Sowing of potato, onion, tomato and chilli has started in major growing regions.

According to the Karnataka's Drought Monitoring Cell, as on November 6 the actual rabi crop coverage is 28.07 lakh hectare against the normal coverage of 26.85 lakh hectare. In 2005, 24.13 lakh hectare was covered.