Rain saves Solapur crops

SOLAPUR, July 29: The four inch rainfall over the past four days has saved the kharif crop in the district and given it a new lease of li...

SOLAPUR, July 29: The four inch rainfall over the past four days has saved the kharif crop in the district and given it a new lease of life.

Of the 2,03,000 hectare area under cultivation, the sowing process had been completed over 1,09000 hectares and the prolonged dry spell after that had the farmers worried with the danger of failure of the kharif crop looming large.

However, Pushaya nakshatra rain has revived not only the crops but also the spirits of the farmers.

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For three years now, the kharif crop is being damaged owing to a prolonged dry spell during the monsoon causing huge losses to the farmers. They were forced to go in for resowing in September and October after irreparable damage to crops during past two years.

Talking to The Indian Express on Wednesday, agriculture development officer U.S. Nalwade said: “This season the rain eluded us for three weeks in July after sowing was completed. This had created a panic situation among farmers. But the present spell has brought the situation under control.”

“We never saw such timely rainfall during the past few years. It has saved our kharif crop,” said Mrutyu Gangade of Hotgi village, who could not hide his pleasure over the rain at his field on Sinhagad Road. He said: “At least this time, the monsoon has provided us relief.”

According to Nalawade, all talukas in the district have registered sufficient rainfall for the kharif crop. Pandharpur taluka registered the highest rainfall of 100 mm. The sowing of udid, groundnut, moog, sunflower, tur and cotton has been completed.