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Dhimant Bhatt

Mumbai , Sept. 12

KHARIF crop prospects in Gujarat appear to have improved with last week's spell of rains.

All the major districts of Saurashtra, including Rajkot, Jamnagar, Surendranagar and Amreli district, have received between 1.5 and 9 inches of rainfall during the last five days. This will help increase yields, albeit marginally.

Other parts of the State, including the South, North and Kutch regions, have also received adequate rainfall, according to the latest report of the Department of Agriculture, Gujarat. North Gujarat districts received about 1.5 to 3 inches of rainfall.

"Out of total 25 districts, the State has received adequate rainfall in 17," a spokesman of State Agriculture Department said.

Kharif-sowing was completed in 84 lakh hectares last month as against the normal area of 81 lakh hectares. With the changed situation, the State has estimated the total kharif output at 75 lakh tonnes. Among the major crops, the State has estimated the groundnut crop output at 25 lakh tonnes, cotton at 65 lakh bales, and pulses and coarse grains at 5 lakh tonnes each.

"Timely rains have saved kharif crops. There was no rainfall last month and there were fears of a major damage to the groundnut and cotton crop," a Rajkot-based trader said.

"Now, the groundnut crop situation has changed in the Saurashtra-Kutch region. There are reports that most of the damage in groundnut crop could be mitigated with the arrival of rains. Damage could be around 5 per cent as against the earlier estimate of 30-35 per cent. There are reports of a minor damage in the Jamnagar, Rajkot and Porbunder districts due to delayed rains," an official said.

The State department has estimated a higher cotton crop output at 65 lakh bales as against target of 45 lakh bales. Sowing of castor crop is in progress and the situation is good, he said.

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