Winter rains to boost Rabi crop output in MP

Winter rains in Madhya Pradesh are likely to boost Rabi crop output this season, feel farmers and agriculture experts.

Wheat and chana (gram) are the major crops sown in Rabi season in Madhya Pradesh.

Expecting extreme cold conditions during this winter, farmers have mainly preferred wheat as it can withstand severe cold temperature, said farmers.

"Winter rain is beneficial for all the crops. It mainly works in favour of those farmers who do not have good irrigation facilities. On an average, a farmer expecting 3 quintal from a bigha will now be able to harvest at least 5 quintal," said Shekhar Thakur, a farmer from Bhorwasa near Dewas.

Agriculture analysts feel the wheat output is likely to cross 17.5 million tonne this year in Madhya Pradesh compared with the government estimate of 17.47 million tonne in Rabi 2013-14.

Temperature is also likely to drop further in the coming days as the rains continue in the state. "Winter rains are likely to continue till January 3. By now, it has covered the whole state with even downpour at many places," said Anupam Kashyapi, scientist and director in charge, IMD Bhopal. Currently, Madhya Pradesh has been witnessing winter rains in many parts of the state like Indore, Bhopal, Betul, Burhanpur, Dewas, Shahjapur, Khategaon, among other places.

As of now, farmers do not see any harm to the standing crop from the dropping temperature.