Kharif sowing normal in Odisha, surpasses previous year area

Total sown area as on August 27 stands at 5.34 million hectare as compared to 5.24 million hectare at this time in 2015

Buoyed by normal rainfall in Odisha, Kharif sowing has gained momentum with the overall sowing area surpassing the previous year's figure.

The total sown area as on August 27 stands at 5.34 million hectare as compared to 5.24 million hectare at this time last year, says government data.

The state has witnessed 1.9% deviation in rainfall, which is termed as normal. Odisha has received 316 mm actual rainfall against the normal rainfall of 310 mm.

The coverage area of food grains as on August 27 stood at 4.362 million hectares compared to 4.247 million hectares covered during the same period of the previous sowing season.

"Transplanting of paddy crop is under progress. Intercultural operations including Fertilizer application is going on. However, intercultural operations are delayed due to late onset of monsoon and less rainfall received during June and July. Early transplanted paddy crop is in flowering to grain filling stage," said a government source.

Cereals have been sown in 3.8 million hectares. Paddy, the key Kharif crop of the state, is cultivated on 3.41 million hectares, compared to 3.33 million hectares in the same period of the last year. Pulses have been sown on 0.571 million hectares. The state government has set a foodgrain production target of 10.1 million tonnes (mt) in the Kharif season after standing crops were destroyed by the drought last year.

Cereals will be cultivated on about 4.01 million hectares with a productivity ratio of 2,332 kg per hectare. This includes rice on 3.6 million hectares, with yield rate of 2,370 kg per hectares, maize on 0.3 million hectares, with productivity quotient of 2,850 kg per hectare, and ragi on 0.16 million hectares, with yield rate of 900 kg per hectare. Similarly, the targeted for pulses is 1.02 million hectares, with productivity ratio of 616 kg per hectare.

Oilseeds, fibres and vegetables are cultivated in 0.14 million hectares , 0.15 million hectares and 0.6 million hectares , respectively.

Sowing of non paddy crops like pulses, oilseeds, vegetables are under progress. Sugarcane is at grand growth stage. Overall the crop condition is normal, the government said.