Department of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture is one of the oldest departments in the state which started in the year 1913. The main aim of the department is to achieve sustainable food production, there by increasing the socio-economic status of the farming community.

The department aims at transferring the latest technology evolved at Agricultural Universities to the farming community. Agriculture assistant, the basic level extension worker in the department is placed at Grama Panchayath level to drive home the new technology to the farmers and ensure the adoption to the maximum extent possible.

Tumakuru district falls under agriculture zone 4 (Central dry zone), zone 5(Eastern dry zone) and zone 6 (Southern dry zone). The Zone 4 consists of 6 taluks namely Chikkanayakanahali, Tiptur, Koratagere, Sira, Madhugiri and Pavagada. The Zone 5 consists of Gubbi and Tumakuru taluks and the Zone 6 consists of Kunigal and Turuvekere taluks. The Annual average rainfall of the district is 593.0 mm. The South west monsoon starts normally from 1st week of June and Peak precipitation will occur during September.

In the district, Kharif is the main cropping season. Ragi and Groundnut are the major crops which occupy about 70% of the cultivable area followed by Paddy, Maize and Red gram. The Total normal Kharif area under agricultural crops is 5.00 lakh hectares. Around 0.15 lakh hectares is covered during Rabi and 0.30 lakh hectares during Summer season. The production is over and above the requirements of the district with regard to cereals. (3.87 lakh tons) but Tumakuru falls behind in meeting the requirement of pulses and oil seeds 0.306 and 1.06 lakh tons respectively.