Torrential Rains Cause Heavy Damage to Pulse Crops in Karnataka

25-Aug-2025 04:57 PM

Belagavi. Heavy torrential rains in some districts of Karnataka, a major producer of pigeon pea (tuvar) and an important producer of moong, are likely to cause heavy damage to Kharif pulse crops like tuvar, urad and moong.

According to the initial estimate of the Agriculture Department, a serious threat has arisen for the pulse crop sown in about 4 lakh acres of area in the state. Actually, this year the rainy season had started in Karnataka from mid-May itself,

due to which farmers in districts like Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri, Gadag and Bagalkot got the opportunity to sow pulses early. In many areas, pulse crops are now getting ready for harvesting, so there is a possibility of serious damage to it due to very heavy rains accompanied by strong winds.

According to available data, about 70 per cent of the total area under moong during the current Kharif season in Karnataka was in the central and northern regions where the above-mentioned districts are located. In at least 14 taluks, farmers had got the opportunity to cultivate pulses before the scheduled time.

But due to heavy rains in June and July, there was a case of failure of pulses seeds to germinate or destruction of young plants in about 2 lakh acres.

As a result, farmers in some areas were forced to cultivate maize. Now, moong crop is being affected in about 4 lakh acres of additional area as its fields are flooded.

Urad crop is also being affected by heavy rains and waterlogging. According to official sources, 10-15 per cent of its crop has been damaged. Last year also, the crop suffered heavy damage due to bad weather in August and this time 60 per cent area is flooded.

Farmers are extremely worried due to heavy losses in Yadwad, Nargund and Bagalkot and are demanding compensation from the government. The prices of moong and urad have started increasing there.