Madikeri: Hundreds of rain-dependent maize farmers in Kushalnagar taluk face heavy losses after a week of unseasonal rain left them unable to harvest, transport or sell their crop.Maize cultivated across several acres in more than 30 sub-villages under five gram panchayats had grown well despite limited rainfall and was ready for harvest. However, persistent rain has dashed farmers’ hopes.Many farmers who harvested and piled maize in their fields cannot transport it to markets because of continuous rain. Damp maize cobs have begun sprouting, raising fears of extensive crop damage.Furthermore, the persistent rain across the taluk has turned the access roads to the farmlands into muddy quagmires. Vehicles intended for transporting the maize are unable to reach the fields, adding to the hardship of farmers. Maize growers fear financial losses because they are unable to transport and sell their harvested produce in a timely manner, said farmer Nagaraja Shetty.
