In the wake of scanty rainfall in the month of September and late August, the Department of Agriculture held a review meeting on the condition of crops due to low rainfall and directed district officials to start awareness campaign besides taking certain remedial measures to save crops that could face problem because of deficient monsoon.
The meeting held on Thursday at Ranchi was attended by the officials of department of Agriculture and Birsa Agricultural University to explore methods to protect crops. According to the officials of BAU, paddy crops grown mostly on lower and middle ground are not under any threat due to meagre rainfall.
“The situation is not as grim as it is being projected. Barring few districts, Jharkhand received a good amount of rainfall in the month of August. And if it rains in next 6-7 days then it will suffice,” said Agriculture Scientist at BAU, A Wadood.
Nonetheless, the department has decided three remedial measures to counter drought or situation similar to it. Among the measures enlisted by the department are, making arrangements of irrigation wherever water is available; spraying water and urea wherever water is not available and advising farmers to cultivate less water consuming crops like pulses and oilseeds on unused land.
Incidentally, rainfall deficit for Jharkhand is 10 per cent and some pockets are way below the average deficiency mark for the State. Palamu and Garhwa are the worst affected areas of the State with a corresponding rainfall deficit of 21 per cent and 34 per cent. In last five days rainfall stayed within 1 mm to 6mm in different parts of the State. Nonetheless, there is a silver lining in the gloomy weather conditions as the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted moderate to good amount of rain after few day due to local conditions and a major weather activities in the Bay of Bengal.
“A low pressure area is developing in the west central bay of Bay of Bengal and it is likely to bring rain to Jharkhand however the intensity will depend on the intensity of the pressure belt. The height of the pressure belt is expected to be in the range of 3.1-7.6 Km so it looks good for Jharkhand. Sporadic rain is likely in 2-3 days due to local conditions,” said Forecast Officer at IMD, Ranchi, U Shrivastava.
The department has directed officials to use pamphlets, SMS to spread awareness regarding crop protection besides using radio and television as additional means of spreading awareness in Palamu and Garhwa.
Officials of the department were unavailable for their comment on detailed measures taken by the department.