The lag in space protection of kharif crops like paddy thus far is just not a priority and the hole can be lined within the present month with progress of monsoon rains, a senior Agriculture Ministry official stated on Tuesday.
Till final week, space sown to complete kharif crops was down 9.27 per cent at 406.66 lakh hectare as in comparison with the year-ago interval.
Coverage of paddy, the primary kharif crop, was additionally down 24 per cent at 72.24 lakh hectare from 95 lakh hectare, as per the ministry’s information.
Even sowing of some pulses like arhar, and oilseeds in addition to money crops remained decrease until final week of the present kharif sowing season.
“There is some lag in sowing of kharif crops so far but that is not a concern. That will be covered this month as the monsoon progresses,” the official stated.
Sowing of kharif crops begins with the onset of southwest monsoon in June. However, lack of rains in June has led to delay in sowing. Now, the July rainfall is essential.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a standard monsoon this 12 months and the general rainfall was “close to normal” between June 1 and July 6 this 12 months.
However, the rainfall was poor by 10 per cent in central India and a pair of per cent within the northwest area of the nation between June 1 and July 6.
The rainfall deficiency was as excessive as 36 per cent within the main rice-growing area of east and north-east India through the week ended July 6, in accordance with IMD’s assertion issued final week.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”