Withering crops get fresh life

Farmers rejoice in rain, say loss will be lower than feared; foodgrain prices may drop

DILIP PATEL


The latest spell of rain has come as a lifeline for the agri sector bringing cheer to farmers. Kharif crops like rice, cotton, groundnut, bajra and pulses sown between June 20 and 30, which had been withering due to scarce rains, can now expect a revival. Agriculture department sources said all of Gujarat barring Kutch have received some much-needed drenching in the last few days.

RICE CROP SAVED IN TIME

SOWING HAD been done over 83 lakh hectares in the pre-monsoon kharif season with rice occupying six lakh hectares mainly in Ahmedabad district, Kheda, Nadiad and parts of south Gujarat. Rains in these regions will give fresh life to the standing crop. The dry patch stretching over two months had depleted groundwater and stretched irrigation facilities. The states rice production is an annual 14 lakh tonnes. This year, the yield was expected to be 40% lower owing to deficient rain.
Cotton, of which Gujarat is the largest producer in the country, was sown on 25 lakh hectare, about 2 lakh more than last year. All this too faced drying up but for the late spell of rains. Says ex-MD Seeds Corporation of Gujarat, J V Shah, The cotton plant will see fresh flowering, like a second life. This rain will benefit small pod cotton most. The loss owing to monsoon delay was estimated at 30%, which is now reduce to about 15%. Gujarats annual cotton production is pegged at Rs 10,000 crore.
Says agriculture director Dr S R Chaudhary, The loss in yield will be much lower than feared. These rains will also save farmers from scarcity conditions. The best part is higher farm production will help check spiralling foodgrain and vegetable prices.

LOT OF GROUNDNUT CROP ALREADY LOST

FARM EXPERTS say, recent rains may not be able to save the groundnut crop as much. Groundnut sowing was done in June, and its long past its flowering season. The dry spell lasted too long for most of the crop to survive.
However, farmers are rejoicing . Says Kisan Sangh working committee member Jethabhai Patel, We expect cotton crop to revive. Tur dal, mustard and castor too will get a fresh lease. Even the rabi crops like wheat, chana, jeera, potato and onion will also benefit from the rains. One more spell will ensure a good rabi crop.