In the first week of November, the area under rabi crop sown in Maharashtra has crossed 6.27 lakh hectares as against 2.40 lakh hectares during the same period last year. However, the drought, coupled with the rain deficit in some parts of the state, is likely to adversely impact the overall rabi crop, much to the dismay of the state government. In 2022-23, at 61.65 lakh hectares, the total area covered under the rabi crop was higher than average. In 2023-24, it is estimated that the total area will not exceed 53.76 lakh hectares – a reduction of 7.89 lakh hectares, 12. 89 per cent less as compared to last year. State Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde has expressed concern over the lower sowing this rabi season. “Our effort is to optimise the use of available water using drip irrigation to maximise production. We are also taking initiatives to provide quality seeds and fertilizers. By avoiding substandard seeds and fertilizers, farmers can curtail overall expenditure and prevent crop loss and second sowing,” Munde said. He said he also urged agriculture department officials in each district to issue proper advisories to the farmers on climate and crops. A 14% rain deficit The sowing of rabi crops, also called winter crops, starts from October end and the harvest season starts in April-May. The sowing starts after the monsoon once the water has adequately percolated into the soil. At the end of October 30, which also marked the exit of an extended monsoon in Maharashtra, the total rainfall, at 928.8 mm, was less compared to 1,075.3 mm last year – an overall rain deficit of 14 per cent. Official data shows that between June and October end, 85 talukas in the state received 100 per cent and above rainfall, 144 talukas got 75 to 100 per cent rainfall, 121 talukas saw 50 to 75 per cent rainfall and five talukas only received 25 to 50 per cent rainfall. The region-wise rain data for the monsoon period shows Kolhapur at the bottom, receiving 59 per cent of normal rainfall, followed by Pune division (74 per cent), Nashik (75 per cent), Sambhajinagar (76 per cent), Latur (72 per cent), Amravati (85 per cent), Nagpur (97 per cent) and Konkan 102 pc. Earlier this week, the state cabinet declared a drought in 42 talukas – of these, 14 are from the Marathwada region, which is perennially under the drought shadow. To combat the water crisis, Munde has now urged the agriculture department to promote less water-intensive crops, essentially jowar, which is the main crop in the Marathwada region. Under the National Millets Mission, the Centre and the state government are promoting jowar, which is high in nutrition. In Maharashtra, the jowar from Dharashiv is known for its superior quality and is in high demand across the state and outside. The total crop sown in this rabi season includes jowar (4.81 lakh hectares), wheat (0.06 lakh hectares) and maize (0.043 lakh hectares). The total area under cereals is only 5.30 lakh hectares, while oilseeds are much lower at 0.0033 lakh hectares. “We expect rabi sowing activities to increase from mid-November. The area under jowar, wheat and harbara will rise,” a source in the agriculture department said. Extend drought benefits, MLAs demand Meanwhile, several MLAs, across the ruling side and the Opposition, have urged the state government to widen the scope of drought declaration parameters to accommodate more talukas and to provide immediate relief to farmers. Accordingly, government departments are working together to reach out to drought-prone talukas. Based on ground reports, the government has also assured that it will consider extending drought benefits to other talukas reeling under a dry spell. The drought has added to the woes of the state’s farmers who have already been crippled by crop losses due to the long dry spell in August and the excess rainfall in some parts of the state in September.
