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Journalism of Courage
VADODARA, July 29: The city experienced a sharp shower on Wednesday evening, the first in a fortnight. The rain and accompanying strong winds brought down the temperature and gave farmers some encouragement.
Though sowing operations concluded last fortnight in several parts of Central Gujarat and the lull was initially considered to be good for sprouting of plants, the prolonged lack of rainfall began to worry them. Experts estimate that the region may surpass the last crop production — 4.62 lakh bales — because of the moderate rains this year.
Kishore Shah of the Madhya Gujarat Cooperative Cotton Marketing Union says at least four per cent more farmers have sowed cotton this year. Farmers’ other choices include `tuar’ and seasonal crops of grains.
While Vadodara recorded 28.4 from 8.30 am onwards on Wednesday, only three talukas of the district recorded rain during day. Jetpurpavi received 4 mm (total rainfall 411 mm), Chhotaudepur, 1 mm (304 mm) and Waghodia 4 mm (393 mm).
Official data indicates that Vadodara had adequate rainfall this year till July 20; the past four years’ rainfall was 385 mm, 292 mm, 108 mm, 534 mm and 479 mm.
