Area under rabi crop cultivation should go up 5 lakh ha this fiscal: Dhananjay Munde

“We have to take measures to prevent farm suicides in Maharashtra. Unseasonal rainfall and flooding has taken a toll on agriculture.”

In the coming rabi season, Munde said, it is expected that crops will be sown on 58 lakh ha. “Efforts should be taken to ensure sowing of rabi crops increases from 58 lakh hectares to 63 lakh hectares,” he said.

Crops sown during rabi season include jowar, wheat, maize, harbara, mustard seeds, rajma, masoor, wal, pawta etc.

Referring to the national food security mission, Munde said that every district has been given a mini kit and there are guidelines.

Adequate measures are in place to ensure there is no shortage of seeds, fertilisers, he said, adding that there should be no diversion of stock. “Farmer welfare is our priority,” he said.

He also urged officials of the agriculture department to closely monitor the rabi season. “Field officers should ensure that farmers’ concerns are addressed, and whatever the hurdles, they should be immediately reported and resolved,” he said.