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M.R. Subramani

16% lower rainfall during pre-monsoon; rice sowing up

Chennai June 14 A 16 per cent deficient pre-monsoon rainfall and monsoon's failure to progress satisfactorily after hitting Indian shores a week ahead is reflecting on coverage of various crops for the current kharif season.

For the pre-monsoon period from March 1- May 31, rainfall was the lowest in three years at 112.8 mm against 133.6 mm last year. Among the 36 meteorological sub-divisions, 20 received scanty or deficient rainfall. The deficiency was more prominent in central and southern parts of the country.

Storage in reservoirs

On the other hand, though monsoon arrived early on May 24, its progress has since then been tardy. According to the India Meteorological Department's input to the Ministry of Agriculture, monsoon up to June 7 was 39 per cent deficient with rainfall being lower by 68 per cent in north-western parts, 48 per cent in north-eastern parts and 41 per cent in central parts of the country.

The lower pre-monsoon and monsoon showers had an effect on the storage levels in the major reservoirs in the country. The full reservoir level in 76 major reservoirs was only 24 per cent of the total 133.03 billion cubic metres. This was only 97 per cent of the level compared with the same period last year. However, the level in 55 per cent of the reservoirs was above 80 per cent.

Cotton acreage up

On the sowing front, rice sowing was up 1.1 per cent at 10.09 lakh hectares, while bajra coverage increased to 0.28 lh (0.22 lh). (See table) Cotton seems to enjoy better patronage from the growers, especially in the North where sowing is in full swing. Its coverage is up at 13.73 lh (10.26).

The fall in sugar prices seems to have an effect in sugarcane coverage as it trails.

Though overall oilseeds coverage is lagging behind, groundnut sowing is showing promise. Higher edible oil prices could see growers opting for the crop this kharif.

Meanwhile, the Centre's procurement of rice for buffer stocks is down for 2006-07 at 233.89 lakh tonnes against 246.02 lakh tonnes. Wheat procurement is, however, high at 107.53 lakh tonnes against 92.53 lakh tonnes.

Fertiliser availability

One cause for concern during the current kharif season could be availability of fertiliser. The requirement this month for urea is 24.36 lakh tonnes, while 8.48 lakh tonnes of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and 3.01 lakh tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) are also needed.

However, the closing stock, as on May 31, of urea was 21.82 lakh tonnes, while the availability of DAP and MOP was 7.22 lakh tonnes and 2.37 lakh tonnes respectively.

In its update for monsoon, Kotak Commodities Services Ltd has advised farmers to opt for jowar, maize and groundnut in Karnataka, rice in Tamil Nadu and rubber, arecanut and pepper in Kerala.

More Stories on : Foodgrains | Cultivation | Climate & Weather

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