Kharif sowing in Gujarat has come to a grinding halt as the rain deficit till July 8 stood at around 83 per cent of the long-term average of the State.

As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, Gujarat has received cumulative rainfall of 138.61 mm, which is 16.68 per cent of State's long period average of 831 mm. The deficit has taken a toll on kharif sowing, as the Gujarat agriculture department has reported sowing on 863,707 hectares, roughly one-third of what was seen around same time last year.

Damage fears

Farmers expressed concern over possible damage to the cotton crop, which has so far been sown on 492,931 hectares, about 60 per cent less than what was seen around the same time last year. “The concerns are on the cotton seeds getting spoiled. After initial showers, farmers had started sowing in some areas. If it doesn't rain in the next five days, farmers may have to either look for re-sowing or change of crop,” said Pravin Asodariya, a farm expert.

 

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The South Gujarat region, including the districts of Bharuch, Narmada, Valsad, Tapi, Surat, Navsari and the Dangs, have received the maximum rain, 29 per cent of the normal for the region. The region is a heartland for horticulture crops and pulses and partly for cotton. The sowing in the region was reported at 74,200 hectares (2,88,100 hectares at the same time last year).

For other regions of Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat, rainfall has been scanty at merely 8 per cent, 1.2 per cent and 10.76 per cent, respectively, of their normal rainfall.

Kharif sowing of two major crops — cotton and groundnut — is progressing at a snail's pace. While cotton has been sown on about 4,92,931 hectares, which is about 40 per cent of what was recorded in the same period last year, groundnut sowing has reached only 1,49,030 hectares, 20 per cent of last year’s level.

Fingers crossed

The State is the largest producer of groundnut and cotton. “It is still not that late for rains. We expect rains this week as the Met department has predicted widespread rains across Gujarat in the coming week. This will compensate the delay,” said a senior official at the agriculture department, expressing hope.

In the event of a further delay in rains, farmers are likely to turn to shorter-duration crops such as pulses or spices such as turmeric. Considering the significance of kharif sowing, the coming week is crucial for farmers.

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