Journalism of Courage
Unlike the Kharif season when the sowing cycle was disrupted several times because of poor rainfall in the beginning and later due to torrential rains,the sowing in the rabi season has been relatively smooth. In Pune district,Rabi has been sown in 83 per cent of the cultivable land,which is slightly lesser than the state average of 91 per cent.
Over 4.64 lakh hectares has been sown against the designated 5.61 lakh hectares in Pune. However,only 76 per cent of the wheat sowing has been completed in the district but officials are hopeful that this will pick up in the coming month.
Rabi sowing is almost complete in the state with 91 per cent of the cultivable area sown.
We are expecting a good crop this time. The ill-timed rains in November proved to be beneficial for Rabi sowing except in some parts where the sowing had to be undertaken again after it was affected because of the rains, said an agriculture officer.
Overall,across the state,the total area sown has been over 45 lakh hectares,which is well over the 91 per cent that is cultivable.
This includes cereals like jowar (90 per cent),wheat (91 per cent) and maize (117 per cent). The area under pulses has also increased this year with total sowing of pulses registering over 113 per cent. Leading the pack is chickpea or gram for which the sowing has been 120 per cent.
In view of the poor kharif season,agriculture officials have been pushing for an increase in rabi cultivation.
Agriculture officials said that the harvesting of tur crop in the coming weeks would eventually bring down the prices of tur dal. The price now is at a high of Rs 90 to Rs 100 per kg.
The state government had undertaken a massive campaign – save the tur crop that involved monitoring the crop for diseases,insects and pests.
