Haryana paddy transplantation starts on weak note

The transplantation of paddy in Haryana has commenced on a weak note, even as officials expect the process would pick up gradually in coming months.

According to the report by Haryana agriculture department, till now 110,000 hectares under paddy in the state has been covered as against 240, 000 hectares area covered in the corresponding period, last year.

B S Duggal, additional director (Agriculture), Haryana maintained the rainfall in the month of June has remained below expectation leading to less area covered under the transplantation.

Vijay Setia, president, All India Rice Exporter Association maintained the sluggishness reflected in transplantation of rice in first week was indeed a positive move.

Farmers who earlier used to start transplantation of paddy before June 15 (the date fixed by the Haryana government before which paddy transplantation is not allowed) stressed the ground water table. The governments of Punjab and Haryana have been urging the farmers to reduce the area under paddy owing to stress on the underground water table.