The Hindu Business Line : Dry spell leaves farmers worried

ALTHOUGH 31 out of the 36 meteorological subdivisions of the country have received excess to normal rainfall till June 23 as per official rainfall statistics, field reports from some important States in the western and southern parts of the country suggest farmers are growing increasingly concerned over absence of rains for past 10 days.

According to the India Meteorological Department, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and West Bengal have received excess to normal rains so far.

Maharashtra too has received excess rains, except in Marathwada where precipitation is in deficit. Telengana and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh too have gotdeficient rains.

Reports from industry and trade representatives as also farm scientists in the western and central parts of the country present a different picture.

Inadequate precipitation and dry spell of the last 10 days is seen affecting germination of seeds already planted and slowing down further planting.

This is true especially of oilseeds such as groundnut. Speaking to Business Line, Dr M.S. Basu, Director of the Junagadh-based National Groundnut Research Centre, said a round of rainfall was desperately required for the planted crop of groundnut in Saurashtra region.

In Gujarat, it is estimated that nearly 14 lakh hectares have been planted to groundnut, and a large part of the acreage represents Runner variety or

Bold type groundnut, which matures in about 110-115 days.

The situation is no different in Rajasthan where early sown varieties are thirsting for revival of monsoon. Reports from Madhya Pradesh point to the ongoing activity of soyabean planting; but there has been a slowdown because of inadequate soil moisture.

"We need revival of monsoon activity in the next 3-4 days in order that planted seeds germinate well and fresh sowing takes place," said a scientist who did not want to be identified. If rains do not materialise over the next 2-3 days, there is fear that some areas sown to soyabean may have to be replanted.

However, satellite pictures do not seem to hold any great promise of widespread rains occurring anytime soon. Industry and trade circles are beginning to feel concerned. An aberrant weather will affect commodity markets and throw short-term business plans out of gear.

A concerned export house official said soyabean and meal prices are being monitored closely as execution of pending export orders might be jeopardised if the market turned volatile because of weather scare.

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