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There has been good progress in the kharif sowing this year following good spell of monsoon in the state. According to data released by state agriculture department, kharif sowing has reached over 94 percent as compared to last year.
Kharif sowing till August 12, was 8.15 million hectares against total 8.17 million hectare during 2012 season, nearly 12,200 hectares behind compared to last year.
Till date kharif sowing has reached 94.08 per cent.
Data showes that crops like paddy, groundnut and soyabean have more than 100 percent sowing this year compared to normal sowing area, while cotton, tur, sesame, maize and bajara sowing too has increased significantly.
"We have received good rain this year and as result sowing has increased in the state. So far there are no reports of crop damage for any district. Moreover, overall weather has been favorable," said Govind Patel, minister of state for agriculture.
However, he also said that crops need some clear sky but as of now all crops are safe and there is no disease threat, pest or damage.
Two major crops of Gujarat, groundnut and cotton have seen very good sowing. As on August 12, groundnut has been sown in 1.64 million hectares as against last year's 1.18 million hectares during the same period.
Total sowing of groundnut in 2012 was around 1.22 million hectares.
Cotton sowing has reached to 2.66 million hectares this year which was 2.24 million hectares last year during the same period. Total sowing cotton was 2.47 million hectares in 2012 kharif season.
N C Patel, vice chancellor of Junagadh Agriculture University said, "Till date we have not received any complaints of any kind of pest and disease in groundnut and cotton. Since last couple of days weather has cleared and crops having sunlight mainly in Saurashtra region."
