Kharif sowing in likely to extend till mid-August in state
The state Cabinet meeting which was held on Tuesday was given a presentation about the onset of monsoon in the state, possibility of extension of first sowing of kharif crops and likely impact of the monsoon deficit in the state.
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Officials from the agriculture department said that they are keeping an eye on the weather conditions. As per their estimate, around 58.28 lakh hectare area would be under kharif crops. Maharashtra is likely to witness an extended first sowing of kharif crops till July end to mid-August due to projections of delayed onset of monsoon in the state. Usually, the Kharif sowing is completed between the mid-June and mid-July.
The state Cabinet meeting which was held on Tuesday was given a presentation about the onset of monsoon in the state, possibility of extension of first sowing of kharif crops and likely impact of the monsoon deficit in the state.
According to a minister who was present in the Cabinet meeting, the projected extension of first sowing of kharif crops will be till mid-August.
“As per the presentation made by the officials, the state needs to be prepared for the delayed arrival of monsoon in the state and its implications,” the minister said.
The presentation in front of the Cabinet also projected less than the average rainfall for this year and hardest impact of rainfall deficit in parts of Marathwada region.
The IMD has already predicted 96 per cent of the average rainfall this year.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a meeting held last week had warned farmers not to hurry for the sowing citing the El Nino prediction. “It has been predicted that the El Nino will impact the monsoon. In that scenario, farmers should not hurry for the sowing. Adequate rainfall and dampness of the land should be checked before going ahead with the sowing,” Shinde had said. He had asked agriculture department and universities to guide farmers about the sowing process.
It was in a Cabinet meeting in February 2023 that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had cautioned that there were chances of an El Nino event developing in the Pacific Ocean this year, which could likely impact the monsoon rainfall.
Officials from the agriculture department said that they are keeping an eye on the weather conditions. As per their estimate, around 58.28 lakh hectare area would be under kharif crops.
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