In view of the severe drought-like situation prevailing in the State, the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has issued an advisory on measures that farmers can adopt.

The unprecedented rise in atmospheric temperature and the fact that soil temperature will be higher than atmospheric mercury levels have made drought-mitigation measures imperative.

The university has urged farmers to protect their crops with organic mulching, water-efficient micro-irrigation practices and avoiding chemical fertilisers and pesticides unless the situation warrants.

Also read:Kerala proposes tough steps to tide over water crisis

The advisory explains the drought mitigation measures to be adopted for different crops such as paddy, coconut, vegetables, arecanut, nutmeg, banana and pepper. In view of possible pest infestations (for example, bacterial wilt and brown plant hopper attack in paddy; whitefly and eriophyid mite in coconut; aphid in banana; leafspot and dieback in nutmeg) during the drought, remedial measures have been spelt out.

The advisory has proposed minimal use of water, ensuring maximum efficiency. In case of transplanted paddy fields, there is no need to sustain the water level after one week of planting and instead mild irrigation at short intervals would be better.

Dry sowing is a better option in fields with limited irrigation facilities. Watering vegetable crops from 12 noon to 3 pm and use of chemical fertilisers during the period should be avoided, it said. Ploughing of coconut gardens and sowing pulse crops after summer rains will help drought mitigation.

Other recommendations: spraying neem oil emulsion will help overcome whitefly attack. Burying dried or fresh husk around the palm and applying lime solution up to two metres on the trunk are other steps suggested for coconut. As for vegetables, it recommended growing crops such as cowpea, amaranthus, cucumber, salad cucumber and snakegourd.

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