Rainfall in August increases kharif sowing in Gujarat

Total sowing stands at 7.28 million hectares in August, against 7.18 million hectares a year ago

Good monsoon during August has slightly increased kharif crop sowing in Gujarat during the month. According to the Gujarat agriculture department data, as on August 12, total kharif sowing was at 7.28 million hectares, a rise of 1.4 per cent from the 7.18 million hectares in 2015 at the same time.

"So far, kharif sowing is on track, as the state has received good rains during August. Sowing has improved in Kutch and Saurashtra regions due to favourable monsoon. The kharif sowing activity is still going on and it will continue till the end of this month," said official of agriculture department.

According to the data, area under pulses has gone up by 56 per cent to 598,600 hectares, compared with 382,400 hectares. Groundnut sowing increased to 1.61 million hectares this year, against 1.28 million hectares in the corresponding period last year. However, area under cotton has declined 13.5 per cent to 2.31 million hectares, from 2.67 million hectares last year.

Recent round of showering has helped kharif crops in Gujarat. According to the farmers and agriculture experts, this will help crops such as cotton, groundnut, paddy, pulses and other oilseeds in the state.

An official at agriculture department said, "It has been good for standing crops but still one better round of rains is required for the crops in this month. Recent round of showering is sufficient as of now and pulses and paddy, maize will need more water. With this, sowing of castor will gear up by end of August and for that also, Gujarat need rain."

Gujarat has received medium to heavy rains in last one week, which was needed for the standing crops such as cotton, groundnut, paddy, tur and other kharif crops. According to farmers, if the state does not receive rains, the situation might get critical.

"Groundnut, cotton, tur, pulses and other kharif crops are in growing stage and at this time, all these crops need good rains. The recent rains have helped kharif crops to survive," said Ramesh Bhoraniya, farmers from Naranka village of Rajkot district.