Deficient rainfall hits kharif sowing in Gujarat

Sowing of kharif crops in the state 66% lower than last year

So far this year, kharif sowing acreage in Gujarat has fallen 66 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year, owing to deficient rainfall. According to data provided by the state agriculture department, so far, kharif crops have been sown on 938,400 hectares across the state, against 2.6 million hectares in the year-ago period.

The southwest monsoon had hit Gujarat last week and parts of coastal Saurashtra and south Gujarat received moderate to heavy rainfall. However, its progress has been delayed.

Sowing acreage for groundnut and cotton, two important crops, has decreased about 30 per cent and 52 per cent, respectively. Data show as of June 23, cotton sowing was recorded on 535,800 hectares, much lower than the year-ago period's 1.12 million hectares. The sowing was just 19.72 per cent of the last three years' average of 2.71 million hectares.

Groundnut sowing has been carried out on 332,000 hectares, against 1.05 million hectares in the year-ago period.

"Delay in progress of the monsoon is the only reason for slow sowing activity this kharif season. Once there is sufficient rainfall, sowing will pick up in the state," said Govind Patel, state agriculture minister. "We will wait till July 15; if there is no rainfall by then, the government will come up with a scheme for the benefit of farmers," he added.

The situation is most dismal in the case of moong, urad, paddy and soyabean. Sowing of Turkish gram has declined 100 per cent. Paddy has been sown on 1,000 hectares, against 28,100 hectares a year earlier, while soyabean sowing has fallen from 21,900 hectares to 900 hectares. Sowing of urad has been carried out across 800 hectares (7,200 hectares in the year-ago period), while moong has been sown on 800 hectares, against 6,800 hectares a year earlier.

According to agriculture department sate, the overall sowing acreage for cereals has decreased about 90 per cent---from 116,500 hectares to 9,300 hectares---, while that for oilseeds has fallen 68 per cent (from 1.11 million hectares to 336,400 hectares). Pulses sowing acreage stood at 6,800 hectares, down 78 per cent from last year's 116,500 hectares.