The Hindu Business Line : Bumper rabi crop likely in Gujarat

GUJARAT is all set to post a bumper rabi harvest this season, thanks to increased availability of water following various water-harvesting schemes implemented by the Government.

Total area under current rabi season 2004-05 has reached a record level of 22.42 lakh hectares (lh) as against 22.30 lh during 2003-04, according to information available from Department of Agriculture, Gujarat. However, the normal area of all the crops under rabi season is 17.07 lh. Major rabi crops include wheat, chana, jeera, mustard and onion.

Total area under these crops has increased to 14.19 lh against a record level of 14.18 lh achieved in the season 1994-95. As a result, production of these crops is expected to increase to 40 lakh tonnes from 33 lakh tonnes recorded in season 1994-95.

"Despite lower rainfall of 960 mm in 2004, rabi output this season is expected to go up by 31 per cent compared to average normal area. The State Government has built about over 60,000 check dams and bori bands, created 1.37 lakh farm ponds and thousands of village ponds have been deepened over past three years," a liaison officer of the department told Business Line. Wheat production and productivity this season could improve to 20.64 lakh tonnes and 2,809 kg per hectare as against 20.44 lakh tonnes and 2,575 kg/ha achieved in 1994-95, respectively.

Chana production is expected to increase to 1,18,800 tonnes (1,43,900 hectares) from 1,13,400 lakh tonnes (1,38,600 hectares) recorded in season 1994-95. Chana productivity will also increase to 826 kg from 816 kg/ha .

Similarly, productivity of mustard and jeera may increase to 1,524 kg (1,364 kg) and 582 kg (440 kg) compared with season 1994-05, respectively.

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