Maharashtra economic survey paints bleak picture of state's agriculture

Deficient rains impact Kharif and Rabi crops substantially

Maharashtra Economic Survey has painted a bleak picture of the agriculture sector for the year 2015-16 mainly due to deficient rains. It has projected substantial decline in kharif and rabi crops in the state.

During kharif season of 2015, sowing was completed on 1.41 million hectare, which was 6% less than 1.50 million hectare in 2014. This will result in 18% fall in production of total foodgrains and marginal decline of 2% in oilseeds production for kharif crops.

The area under rabi crops is also expected to decrease by 16% which will lead to 27% fall in total foodgrains and 50% oilseeds production.

As far as summer crops are concerned, the area under cereals is expected to be 0.48 lakh hectare against 0.97 lakh hectare in 2014-15.

The area under oilseeds will be 0.90 lakh hectare against 0.85 lakh hectare. Further, the production of cereal will be 1,05,000 metric ton against 1,81,000 metric ton while the oilseeds our put  will be 1,40,000 metric tone against 1,28,000 metric ton.

Meanwhile, the irrigated area in command area under jurisdiction is estimated at 3.13 million hectare. However, the survey has not made any forecast about the likely increase or decrease in irrigated area in command area in 2015-16.

Besides, the government has not given any details with regard to increase or decrease in irrigation potential state citing non availability of details in this regard.

This is crucial especially when the government is pursuing inquiry into the alleged multi crore irrigation scam exposed during the Congress-NCP rule.