The Hindu Business Line : Gujarat sets 30 lakh ha coverage target for rabi

THE Department of Agriculture, Gujarat has set a target of 30 lakh hectares (ha) for the rabi season 2005-06, higher by seven lakh ha compared with the previous season's target of 23 lakh tonnes, which was achieved.

Total area under current rabi season was around 8.30 lakh hectares last week, almost the same as the last season.

Major crops include wheat, rapeseed/mustard, pulses, onion, sugarcane and jeera.

Total sowing area under major rabi crops includes 2.85 lakh ha of rapeseed/mustard, 1.18 lakh ha wheat, 46,700 ha jeera, 41,900 ha sugarcane, 23,500 ha onion and 58,100 ha chana (gram) and 10,200 ha of other pulses.

"Sowing has started late in the State due to continuous rains reported in September. The major sowing activities are noticed in Saurashtra and the northern region," an official of the department told Business Line.

The State has so far covered 46 per cent of the total normal area. "Rabi crop prospects look promising this season due to good rainfall and proper management of rainwater harvesting in all the districts," he said. "The complete picture of rabi sowing will emerge in the next three weeks."

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page