Karnataka farmers increase tur, moong and maize as pre-monsoon picks up

Karnataka farmers increase tur, moong, and maize as pre-monsoon picks up

The area under pulse crops such as tur and moong, as well as cereals, primarily maize, is increasing dramatically in Karnataka due to good pre-monsoon rains, with farmers preferring to plant these crops. This is despite the monsoon becoming more erratic in recent weeks, resulting in a rainfall deficit in approximately seven of the state’s 31 districts.

The acreage under tur in Karnataka has increased by 563% to 5.73 lakh hectares (lh) as of June 21, compared to the normal of 1.01 lakh hectares. Karnataka is the largest producer of tur. Similarly, the area under Moong and Urad has grown by 205% over the normal acreage.

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Moong has been planted on 3.35 lakh hectares until June 21, compared to the normal coverage of 1.63 lakh hectares for the same period. Karnataka intends to cultivate 3.99 lakh hectares of moong this season. As of June 21, 0.73 lakh hectares of urad had been planted, which is approximately twice the normal area for the period.

Coverage target

Overall, pulse acreage was 10.378 lakh hectares, up from 1.21 lakh hectares the previous year and 3.49 lakh hectares on average. The state has set a pulse area of 21.19 lakh hectares for the kharif season. Pulses production was hampered last year by a lack of rain, resulting in higher prices compared to the same period the previous year. Drought across the state had an impact on kharif output last year.