Mandya farmers urged to adopt dryland crops as monsoon deficit hits water supply

Mandya Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumar has called upon farmers in the district to shift from long-duration crops to short-duration, low-water-consuming varieties in view of the southwest monsoon's failure to deliver adequate rainfall.

The southwest monsoon has brought below-normal rainfall to many parts of Karnataka this year, and Mandya district has been particularly affected. The Cauvery river, which is the main source of irrigation for the district, has seen reduced flows, and reservoirs and tanks are at lower-than-usual levels. This has raised concerns about the availability of water for the upcoming cropping season.

Addressing a meeting with Agriculture Department officials at his office on Friday (August 21, 2026), Dr. Kumar said the water needed to sustain long-duration crops is likely to remain limited because of the rainfall deficit. He directed officials to encourage farmers to cultivate semi-dryland crops such as ragi (finger millet), jowar (sorghum), sesame, cowpea, black gram and horse gram. These crops require less water and can be harvested within a shorter period, making them more suitable for the prevailing rainfall conditions, he explained.

The Cauvery Irrigation Advisory Committee has decided to prioritise the use of water available in tanks and reservoirs for meeting the drinking water needs of people and livestock, in addition to supporting short-duration crops. Water supply for long-duration crops will not be considered for now, he said.

With only four rounds of water release decided upon for the season, Dr. Kumar stressed the need to conserve the available water efficiently. He also directed officials to prioritise water storage in tanks and reservoirs in villages wherever necessary, with a view to preventing further depletion of groundwater levels.

Dr. Kumar asked Agriculture Department officials to conduct awareness programmes at the taluk, hobli and village levels and guide farmers in selecting alternative and short-duration crops based on the evolving rainfall situation. He emphasised that timely guidance would help farmers make informed decisions and avoid potential losses from failed long-duration crops.

Mandya district has traditionally been known for water-intensive crops such as paddy and sugarcane, which rely heavily on the Cauvery canal network. The current monsoon deficit has prompted a reassessment of these cropping patterns, as farmers face the risk of inadequate irrigation. The shift to dryland crops marks a significant adaptation to the changing water availability in the region.

Agriculture Department Joint Director G.S. Jayaswamy and other district-level officials were present at the meeting. Further instructions have been issued to field staff to ensure that the recommendations reach every village in the district ahead of the next sowing window.