Farmers in Kerala’s Palakkad district are replanting Kanchana seedlings in response to water shortages and El Nino concerns (AI-generated image used for representational purposes)
“Going by the current level in the reservoir, the irrigation department can release water for only 53 days when the actual requirement is for 100 days. It is mainly the older generation of farmers who still prefer long-duration varieties, which take around 135 days to mature and harvest. The state experienced a 28% rainfall deficit during this year’s Southwest Monsoon, with Wayanad and Idukki recording the highest shortfalls, severely affecting agriculture.
Since there is a warning of a potential drought next year due to El Nino, some of us are planting the Kanchana variety,” said Unnikrishnan even as some farmers in adjacent fields were preparing njattadi (seedbeds) for long-duration varieties. His concerns are validated by a report prepared by the agriculture department, which has stated that the food-crop sector is likely to suffer the highest damage in the state due to the impending drought triggered by El Nino. Because of practical and socio-economic considerations, as well as their reluctance to move away from established practices, agricultural scientists observe that many cultivators remain attached to familiar varieties, largely. Because the crop gets more time to utilise sunlight through photosynthesis and accumulate biomass, “Long-duration varieties generally have higher yield potential. Proper crop planning and timely irrigation are therefore essential. Agriculture department officials say the support of local bodies is crucial in raising awareness among farmers about the challenges they may face during the coming season due to drought. Because it has a shallow root system, “Among the various crops, pepper is particularly susceptible. Prolonged dry conditions can therefore affect its growth and production. Farmers must be informed about these risks well in advance so that they can take preventive measures.
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Jayaprakash K, a vegetable farmer in Vattavada panchayat in Idukki, says he has not heard about El Nino. Potatoes and garlic cultivation suffered heavy damage,” he said. The ongoing Northeast monsoon could bring some relief if rain in catchment areas replenishes the irrigation reservoirs,” said Kerala Agricultural University department of agricultural meteorology head B Ajithkumar. He said their studies have shown that Keralam used to experience significant rainfall deficits during the Southwest Monsoon, followed by good rainfall during the Northeast Monsoon, before the effects of El Nino began to influence the country’s summer season. Only local bodies can spread awareness at the grass-roots level by regularly convening exclusive meetings such as grama sabhas with farmers before it’s too late,” said a senior officer. CK Vishnudas, director of Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology, an NGO working among local communities in Wayanad to spread awareness on climate change and its impact, said, “The extended dry spell has resulted in water shortage and crop loss, forcing several farmers to reduce the area under cultivation.
Intense Heat, Triggered By El Nino, Is Set To Hit Cultivation, Especially Of Food Crops. Creating Awareness Is Must To Help Farmers Pre-Empt Loss While Intervention By Local Bodies Can Mitigate Its Damage KOCHI: Holding a bunch of fresh green paddy seedlings in one hand, Manzoor, a worker from West Bengal, kept planting them with the other in a fine rhythm in a water-retained field at Mathur in Palakkad. Ten workers from Kolkata joined Manzoor as landowner Unnikrishnan K watched and gave necessary instructions. Mahalikudam padasekharam (cluster of paddy fields), which includes Unnikrishnan’s field, is currently filled with rainwater. Secondary tillage has been completed in most of the fields as part of readying them for Mundakan crop season. The short spells of rain we received over the last two days have helped us collect enough water to start replanting seedlings. If the rain deficit continues and we don’t get enough water from the reservoir, we’ll have to use pumps to draw it from wells to prevent crop damage. The report has identified vegetables, coconut, cash crops, rubber and plantation crops as vulnerable to drought. Many farmers at the grass-roots level remain unaware of the situation. “We haven’t heard about the phenomenon or its impact on agriculture. We did experience a severe rain deficit during the last monsoon, and that badly affected our crops. farmers often find it difficult to abandon their traditional practices Although agricultural officials generally recommend short-duration varieties to minimise the risks associated with unpredictable weather. But the success of their cultivation depends heavily on the availability of water throughout the growing season. He warns that plantation crops such as coffee and cardamom in the high ranges are likely to bear the brunt of El Nino. Banana and coconut cultivation may also suffer from reduced water availability, resulting in lower yields. Banana cultivation for the Onam season generally begins around Oct, and the crop must withstand the subsequent summer months, making adequate water management particularly important. Awareness of drought will help farmers pre-empt crop loss by reducing the area under cultivation and minimising financial losses. ” In a significant bottom-up initiative, three panchayats, Pulpally, Mullankolly and Thirunelly in Wayanad, have collectively compiled local weather data from the weather stations installed by Hume in their villages and submitted it to the chief minister and relevant govt authorities appealing for official recognition of their areas as drought-hit regions. Such recognition could enable affected farmers to access govt assistance, compensation and other relief measures. the initiative demonstrates how decentralised institutions can play a crucial role in identifying local vulnerabilities and communicating farmers’ concerns to equip them to face the challenges Although govt has not yet formally declared these areas as drought-affected. Download the TOI App.
Unnikrishnan and some other farmers in Mathur want to replant Kanchana seedlings without delay and harvest the crop within 100 days as they are anxious about an intensive summer next year, potentially aggravated by El Nino. El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. It generally begins developing between March and June and reaches its peak between November and February. Anticipated El Nino impact on state’s food security In India, El Nino has been associated with higher temperatures and an increased likelihood of below-normal Southwest monsoon rain. Actual conditions vary across states. Unnikrishnan cited the dipping water level in Malampuzha dam to explain the situation.
