Expecting monsoon on June 1, farmers chopped off branches of shade timber exposing tender berries to summer-like daylight
Expecting monsoon on June 1, farmers chopped off branches of shade timber exposing tender berries to summer-like daylight
An ‘unfortunately’ incorrect climate forecast by India Meteorological Department (IMD) has put espresso farmers in Karnataka in jeopardy.
On the idea of the Met division’s prediction of an early monsoon, espresso growers in Karnataka ready for rains on June 1. However, the espresso estates in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan districts are but to see any signal of rain as on June 17.
Expecting monsoon within the first week of June 1, in the direction of the top of May, most espresso farmers carried out shade regulation by chopping the branches of secondary shade timber on their plantations to make sure most daylight on the crops in the course of the monsoon. In the absence of rain, espresso crops are being uncovered to extreme warmth and summer-like daylight.
Shade lopping (known as dadap lopping, with dadaps being quick rising timber of the genus Erythrina) is undertaken simply earlier than or on the onset of monsoon as retaining thick shade throughout monsoon might result in disruption of free stream of oxygen within the orchard, which can result in berry dropping, moist foot situation and rotting of stalk.
Mandanna of Subramhanya Estate at Suntikoppa in Kodagu district says, “The entire coffee belt was set for the monsoon on June 1. But unfortunately, Met department’s weather prediction has gone haywire. A delayed monsoon has brought additional concerns to the coffee-growing community.”
According to him, espresso plantations ought to have ideally acquired 5 to six inches of rain in June, however, as of now, they haven’t acquired any rain up to now.
“More than half of June has passed and monsoon is yet to set in. Rains are very critical for the development of berries, and also to keep white stem borer away from coffee plants,” mentioned Mr. Mandanna, who’s a member of the Coffee Board.
Shirish Vijayendra, a planter from Mudigere and former chairman of Karnataka Planters’ Association, mentioned, “A delayed monsoon would adversely affect the coffee crop this year. Not only coffee, it has also impacted pepper flowering and corn formation, and also paddy cultivation in most parts of Karnataka. Most days are very sunny, as if we are still in summer. It is not a good sign for most crops, including coffee.”
Anil Kumar Bhandari, President of India Coffee Trust (ICT) and a big planter from Suntikoppa, mentioned, “The delayed monsoon has added to our problems. If the rains are going to be further delayed by another 4 to 6 days, there will be a significant impact on production due to poor crop formation.’’
Coffee growers say they purchased manure in bulk to fertilise and nourish their plantations, but the task can be carried out only if the soil has enough moisture to dissolve and absorb the fertiliser.
“We are yet to apply fertilisers in our plantations, owing to the lack of moisture on the ground,” lamented Sindhu Jagdish, a small farmer from Ponnampet in Kodagu district.
Simpadipura: Tracing the roots of the veena
Simpadipura: Tracing the roots of the veena
| Video Credit: Siddhi Jojare
Source: www.thehindu.com
