Progressive monsoon boosts sowing in Gujarat

Agriculture Department of Gujarat data showed that total area under kharif sowing has registered 5.07 mn hectares in 2015 as against 3.29 mn hectares during last year

Favourable weather and good availability of water for irrigation has boosted sowing in Gujarat in current kharif season. According to Gujarat government data, total sowing has increased about 52 per cent as on July 20 this year as compared to corresponding period in last year (2014).

The Agriculture Department of Gujarat data showed that total area under kharif sowing has registered 5.07 million hectares in 2015 as against 3.29 million hectares during last year. Highest progress has been seen in oilseed, pulses and cotton.

The state has received heavy rain in June which has increased groundwater. Moreover, it has filled up many dams mainly in Saurashtra region which has led to sufficient water availability for this year. However, another round of dry spell may worry farmers and government.

Groundnut and cotton are main crops for kharif in Gujarat and sowing progress of both the crops have been very well so far. Groundnut has been sown on 1.24 million hectares higher by 35 per cent from 924,100 hectares in same period and almost equivalent to last year's total. Sesame seed sowing has done on 65,000 hectares, almost double from 34,500 hectares from last year's corresponding period. Total oilseeds have covered 1.38 million hectares area as against 977,800 hectares in 2014.

Cotton sowing has increased about 32 per cent to 2.34 million hectares so far as against 1.77 million hectares in last year.

"Beginning of the kharif sowing was not good in June but then heavy rain has revive the entire scenario as water availability for farming have been increased. Moreover, rain across the state in past three days also help the crops to survive", said a state agriculture department official.

Sowing has been increased over three times in paddy and tur. Area of paddy has registered 188,900 hectares against 60,600 hectares and tur sowing has increased to 136,700 hectares from 42,900 hectares.

Total sowing of pulses have grown to 203,800 hectares in this year, higher by 175 per cent from last year's 76,100 hectares. Similarly sowing of cereals have been increased nearly three times to 573,700 hectares as against

"We are hopeful to get three years' average mark sowing that is around 8.5 million hectares," state government sources added.