Kodagu Paddy Cultivation Drops to Just 2% of Target Amid Monsoon Rainfall Deficit

The district had set a target of cultivating paddy across 17,500 hectares this monsoon.

Madikeri: A severe rainfall deficit during the 2026–27 monsoon season has led to a sharp decline in crop cultivation across Kodagu district, with paddy sowing falling to just 1.98% of the season's target, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The district had set a target of cultivating paddy across 17,500 hectares this monsoon. However, only 347 hectares have been planted so far. Joint Director of Agriculture, Kodagu, Chandrashekhar confirmed that paddy sowing has reached only 1.98% of the total target area.

The decline is significant compared to the same period last year, when paddy had already been planted in around 3,000 hectares.

Taluk-wise data shows that Madikeri has recorded paddy cultivation in 67.2 hectares, Kushalnagar 20 hectares, Somwarpet 196 hectares, Virajpet 16 hectares and Ponnampet 48 hectares.

While paddy cultivation has suffered, jowar has shown better progress. Against a target of 1,850 hectares, farmers have cultivated 1,254 hectares, achieving about 67% of the target. Millet cultivation has remained almost non-existent, with negligible sowing against the target of 25 hectares.

Overall, against the combined target of 19,375 hectares for paddy, jowar and millet, only 1,646 hectares have been cultivated so far, representing just 8.5% of the planned area. The poor monsoon has affected both rainfed and irrigated agriculture, raising concerns over crop production and farmers' livelihoods if rainfall does not improve in the coming weeks.

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