Mysuru: Mysuru district has recorded an overall rainfall deficit of 42% up to July 6, 2026, receiving only 188.6 mm of rain against the normal 324.8 mm. June witnessed a rainfall deficit of 56%, while the first week of July received 49% below-normal precipitation, severely impacting agricultural activities across the district.Sumanth Kumar GV, technical officer at the Organic Farming Research Station, Naganahalli, Mysuru, said farmers who sowed maize, cotton, tobacco and vegetable crops following the initial monsoon showers are now facing acute moisture stress due to the prolonged dry spell.“Many paddy growers have raised nurseries, but are unable to begin transplantation because of inadequate rainfall and insufficient canal water supply. Given the prevailing rainfall deficit, farmers are advised to adopt an emergency crop contingency plan from July 15 to minimise production losses,” he said.Paddy transplantation should be restricted to areas with assured irrigation facilities. In rain-fed fields where transplantation is no longer feasible, farmers have been advised to switch to finger millet, cowpea, greengram, blackgram, sesame or sunflower, which are better suited to delayed monsoon conditions.According to the seasonal outlook, Aug and Sept are likely to witness prolonged dry spells, which could increase moisture stress during the flowering and grain-development stages of maize, cotton and tobacco crops, Sumanth Kumar said.He further noted that Oct and Nov are expected to receive below-normal post-monsoon rainfall, limiting residual soil moisture required for the establishment of rabi crops. Dec is also likely to remain relatively dry, accompanied by lower temperatures, making protective irrigation essential for vegetables, tobacco and perennial horticultural crops.
