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Vishwanath Kulkarni

BANGALORE, Aug. 9

DROUGHT-hit farmers in the wheat-growing States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab have been urged to take up early rabi sowing of oilseeds, to tide over the impact of weak monsoon, by the Association of Seed Industry - the apex body of seed companies.

"We are asking the farmers in these States to take up early rabi sowing in September as kharif is almost gone and switch over to oilseeds like sunflower and mustard from the normal wheat," said Mr Deepak Mullick, former president of ASI and currently the Director of International Affairs.

These three primary wheat-growing States are currently reeling under severe shortage of water as the late monsoon is unlikely to help reap in a good harvest.

The ASI, which is in talks with the Agriculture Departments in these States, is planning to make a technical presentation on how oilseeds could be an ideal alternative to wheat in the current conditions to the Union Agriculture Ministry, Mr Mullick said.

"We are in touch with the respective State Agri-Departments and have advised them to switch over to oilseeds instead of wheat, as it needs more water than compared to either sunflower or mustard," Mr Mullick told Business Line.

While wheat crop requires 4 to 5 five rounds of irrigation, sunflower and mustard can be grown with 1-2 rounds of irrigation, he said. Moreover, sunflower could be grown around the year with little water, he added.

However, Mr Mullick said, farmers were sceptical to this idea as they consider wheat as a secure crop as it was purchased by the Government, whereas oilseeds purchase in the past have been erratic. The Government, which is saddled with nearly 63 million tonnes, might not buy wheat this year, he added.

"Despite this scepticism, we expect a shift by farmers from wheat to oilseeds in nearly 20-30 per cent of area in these States," Mr Mullick said and added that the current year would be dismal year for Indian agriculture. Sowing of wheat takes place in November in these States.

The delayed and deficient rainfall could cast a dark spell on the rabi crop because of the less precipitation, Mr Mullick said.

Though irrigation is widespread in these States compared to others, full coverage by irrigation does not insulate crops against deficient rainfall as the source of irrigation plays a critical role, particularly in the drought year. Though the northern States unlike in the south are not heavily dependent on rains for replenishment, precipitation is considered important in certain areas.

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