Maha Farmers Plant Mere 1% of Kharif Crop Land, Raise Concerns for Agricultural Sector

Due to the delayed arrival of monsoon in Maharashtra this year, farmers in the state have only managed to sow crops on a mere 1% of the total 1.42 crore hectares designated for kharif crops as of June 15.

According to reports the state has seen an enormous impact of climate change. Last year the land under cultivation took place under 66,000 hectares with no insecurity and uncertainty over heavy rainfalls. Moreover, productivity increased before the last two weeks of June. This year though the land under cultivation took place under 1.48 lac yet the production could not be achieved. The Occurrence of  El Nino and Biparjoy cyclones has resulted in changes in southwest monsoon patterns, therefore decreasing production and profitability.

According to the latest data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), approximately half of the 716 districts in India are currently experiencing significant shortages in monsoon rainfall, while another 19% are facing some level of deficiency. According to data revealed more than 79-80% of rainfall deficit was recorded in subdivisions of Maharashtra state.

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Basavaraj Birajdar, joint director of state agriculture department said that " It's important to raise awareness among farmers regarding the need to avoid cultivating their fields until the soil is adequately moist. In areas where there has been consistent rainfall for two to three days without significant interruptions, farmers can proceed with sowing if they have access to irrigation facilities. However, in rain-fed regions, farmers should wait for rainfall measuring between 80-100mm before initiating the sowing process."

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The retired district superintendent and agriculture officer and now serving as chief mentor of the agriculture and entrepreneurship department of SAARTHI Pune, Dnyandeo Wakure said that " If there is a delay in sowing in the first week of July then it will lead to major havoc and create major problems due to occurrence of untimely rain. For this reason, farmers may face heavy crop loss."

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