Prolonged dry spell, brown disease hit cotton yield in Yadgir district of Karnataka

​A prolonged dry spell and severe moisture deficiency have dealt a heavy blow to cotton cultivation across Yadgir district in Karnataka this kharif season. Despite exceeding sowing targets, farmers are staring at a drastic reduction in yield and significant financial losses.

​According to data provided by the Agriculture Department of Karnataka, the district set a target of 2.02 lakh hectares for cotton cultivation this season. However, farmers covered 2.20 lakh hectares across both rainfed and irrigated lands, achieving 108% of the target, after initial showers.

​The initial enthusiasm, however, turned to dismay as rainfall deficit severely crippled crop development. Deficit rainfall at later stages impacted cotton crop across 1.55 lakh hectares — accounting for over 70% of the total sown area. Between June and the end of September, Yadgir received just 339 mm of rainfall against an average normal of 515 mm, marking a 34% precipitation deficit.