Farmers fear crop damage amidst insufficient rains in Gujarat

Crops in need of more rain otherwise further damage could be caused, impacting yield during kharif season

Delayed and insufficient rains in August have resulted in cases of disease and pests rising among farmers of Gujarat who are now fearing crop failure or damage.

According to farmers and agri-experts, crops are in need of more rain otherwise further damage could be caused, impacting yield during kharif season.

Thakarshibhai Rajmala, a cotton grower from Naranka village of Padadhari talukanear Rajkot said, "Monsoon may have begun on time this year but the progresshas not been good, thereby impacting sowing. Moreover, sporadic rise in temperatureis also harmful for cotton."

According to Gujarat government's agriculture data, so farabout 95% of last three years average kharif sowing has been completed with a coverage of 8.09 million hectares of area. Though, compared to last year total sowing area has decreased by 162,000 hectares.

As per the data, area of cotton was registered at 2.75 million hectares this year against three million hectares in corresponding period last year. Sowing of groundnut has taken place around an area of 1.29 million hectares as against 1.22 million hectares last year.

"As of now, we can say that crops are safe but if lack ofrains continue to trouble the state for next 10 to 15 days then it will be amatter of concern," said Gujarat agriculture department official.

Government has also increased power supply by two hours to10 hours a day to the farmers for improved irrigation. Moreover, scientists atagriculture university frequently release advices to the farmers for kharif crops.

Agriculture department official said, "Good rain in the early stage of monsoon has created sufficient water storage in the state whichis enough to save crop for now. However, a fresh spell of rain is needed."

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Ahmedabad centre data, the state has received 470.7 mm rains so far in currentmonsoon season which is 16% less than normal rain of 559.2 mm.

A farmer from Visnagar Kinjalbhai Patel said, "Duringongoing monsoon, the state has received two heavy spell of rains but it waslimited to certain areas. In general, most of the areas have obtained belownormal rain. Kharif crops, especially groundnut and sesame need rainimmediately."

Complaints for disease and pests have been reported incotton crop since last couple of days. Agriculture Universities and agriculturedepartment are guiding farmers to protect their crops from it.

As per agriculture department data, pulses have been sown on414,600 hectares, higher by 36,600 hectares from last year’s 378,000hectares. Cereals sowing was reached to1.31 million hectares as against 1.30 million hectares.