Cyclonic rains predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in next four days is going to support the standing summer sown crops in Odisha, according to agriculture experts.
"Odisha has received only 15 mm rainfall in last two to three weeks, less than usual requirement of 45-60 mm rainfall. So the prediction for rainfall might actually help the crop if it does not cause flood," said Surendranath Pasupalak, agro meteorologist at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).
The IMD predicted that cyclonic storm Hud Hud, expected to make a landfall near Visakhapatnam on Sunday, will cause heavy to very heavy shower in coastal districts of Odisha.
Coastal Odisha is known for growing mainly paddy and sugarcane crops. Though paddy is known to be a water intensive crop, sugarcane and vegetable cultivation, however, may get affected due to heavy rains.
The sugarcane and vegetable need limited water intake and are in danger of possible downpour. But other crops like paddy, pulses and cotton will benefit from cyclone induced rain, added Pasupalak.
The contribution of agriculture to gross state domestic product (GSDP) in Odisha is only 15 per cent, but it is still the principal occupation of the state. A sharp decline in crop output due to damage by tropical cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods had its impact on GSDP last year.
In 2013-14, economic growth rate in Odisha slowed down to 5.6 per cent, compared with 8.09 per cent recorded in 2012-13, because of negative growth in farm sector. The farm growth declined by 3.25 per cent because of the cyclone and floods, said Economic Survey for 2013-14.
This year, kharif sowing in June had started on a slower note in the state due to deficit rainfall, but it picked up from July, in tandem with increased shower.
As on September 30, kharif crop cultivation has been undertaken in 5.94 million hectare (mha), less than the target of 6.14 mha set for the year. Paddy area has surpassed the target of 3.6 mha while pulses have been sown in 0.647 mha, oil seeds in 0.224 mha, cotton in 0.15 mha, vegetables in 0.641 mha and spices in 0.101 mha.
"Odisha has received only 15 mm rainfall in last two to three weeks, less than usual requirement of 45-60 mm rainfall. So the prediction for rainfall might actually help the crop if it does not cause flood," said Surendranath Pasupalak, agro meteorologist at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).
The IMD predicted that cyclonic storm Hud Hud, expected to make a landfall near Visakhapatnam on Sunday, will cause heavy to very heavy shower in coastal districts of Odisha.
Coastal Odisha is known for growing mainly paddy and sugarcane crops. Though paddy is known to be a water intensive crop, sugarcane and vegetable cultivation, however, may get affected due to heavy rains.
The sugarcane and vegetable need limited water intake and are in danger of possible downpour. But other crops like paddy, pulses and cotton will benefit from cyclone induced rain, added Pasupalak.
The contribution of agriculture to gross state domestic product (GSDP) in Odisha is only 15 per cent, but it is still the principal occupation of the state. A sharp decline in crop output due to damage by tropical cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods had its impact on GSDP last year.
In 2013-14, economic growth rate in Odisha slowed down to 5.6 per cent, compared with 8.09 per cent recorded in 2012-13, because of negative growth in farm sector. The farm growth declined by 3.25 per cent because of the cyclone and floods, said Economic Survey for 2013-14.
This year, kharif sowing in June had started on a slower note in the state due to deficit rainfall, but it picked up from July, in tandem with increased shower.
As on September 30, kharif crop cultivation has been undertaken in 5.94 million hectare (mha), less than the target of 6.14 mha set for the year. Paddy area has surpassed the target of 3.6 mha while pulses have been sown in 0.647 mha, oil seeds in 0.224 mha, cotton in 0.15 mha, vegetables in 0.641 mha and spices in 0.101 mha.