Kharif sowing in Gujarat improves by 4% despite monsoon deficit

Despite a monsoon deficit of over 45% in Gujarat, scanty rains have been favourable for kharif sowing. Overall, sowing has risen by 4% as on July 25, 2016, as compared to the corresponding period last year.

As per agriculture department data, total sowing under kharif crops has been over an area of 5.70 million hectares as on July 25, 2016, up 4% from 5.47 million hectares in corresponding period last year.

Sowing of crops such as tur (split pigeon peas), groundnut and soyabean have seen significant growth compared to last year. However, Gujarat needs good rains, lack of which in the coming days could turn critical for agriculture.

Progress of kharif season has been good during July this year due to favorable rains so far. However, a good spell of showers is required, lack of which could turn critical for agriculture in the state, said a state agriculture department official.

As per data, groundnut, which is one of the main kharif crops, sowing has increased by 19% to 1.50 million hectares as on July 25, 2016, as against 1.26 million hectares in the corresponding period last year. Area under soyabean has gone up to 1,24,000 hectares, which was 83,000 hectares last year.

Total area of oilseeds also has moved up from 1.43 million hectares to 1.70 million hectares.

On the other side, sowing of cotton is still lagging behind this year. Agriculture department data stated that area under cotton decreased by 16% to two million hectares. Last year, this time, area under cotton was reported at 2.42 million hectares. 

Pulses, too, have seen a good growth of 58% in sowing. As on date, kharif pulses sowing has registered 3,87,300 hectares as against 2,45,100 hectares. Area of tur has gone up to 2,42,300 hectares from 1,63,700 hectares, whereas that of urad (white lentils) rose from 54,100 hectares last year to 96,700 hectares so far.

However, weak progress of monsoon has been a matter of concern for both the state government and farmers in Gujarat. While the state has a healthy water level in Narmada dam, rest of the 202 dams have just 31% water storage available. Saurashtra and Kutch have even less than 10% water for drinking purpose.

“We will wait for some more time, at least for a week and then decide upon actions. Water supply to farmers may be restricted. However, it all depends on how the monsoon progresses,” said Babubhai Bokhiria, minister of agriculture, government of Gujarat.

Currently, the government is supplying water for agriculture and domestic use from Narmada. However, the state government has decided to give priority to drinking water and will stop supply to agriculture if rains get delayed further.