The South-West monsoon which hit coastal parts of India two days before time has started spreading wings of fear among farmers around the capital and major parts major parts of northern Jharkhand with its much noise and meager rain. Agricultural experts have expressed fear that this situation was not good for farmer, as they might face two-sided punch of under-rain when they required it now, and over-rain in coming days.
“I must say that this situation is not favourable at all for farmers, as they are more required to have rain on time than more or less rain untimely. What we have been witnessing so far in monsoon season for farmers around capital city and surrounding districts is that they have received very scattered and less rain. It is delaying Kharif cycle, which remains totally dependent on monsoon rain,” said Soil Conservation Director Fanindra Nath Tiwari on Sunday.
The monsoon, which entered in Jharkhand on June 16-17, has remained considerably good so far in southern and eastern parts of the State with adequate amount of rain in those areas. However, Ranchi and surrounding districts have witnessed scattered and less than expected rain so far.
Even Weather department officials also find not in position to challenge this argument of Tripathi. “As of now, we are sure of Jharkhand receiving average monsoon rain, which is sufficient in comparison to most of the other parts of country, in Jharkhand by the time Monsoon finally says a good bye this year. However, this is true that particularly Ranchi and vicinity districts have remained thirsty so far. But this is not the case for rest of the State, which is receiving good amount of rain,” said MET (Ranchi Centre) Scientist Dattu Hedau.
He added that there was no sign of sufficient low pressure over Ranchi and above to have heavy rain, which otherwise has been taking place in other parts. “But I am sure overall data of rain is going to remain normal,” said Hedau.
“Ranchi and surrounding districts had to receive around 200 mm of rain by now according to the prevailing trend since some years. Ironically, this part has received not more than 70-75 mm of rain by now, means merely 32-35 percent. Farmers can’t go out to start their farming activities in such a situation. But the bigger problem is that if Jharkhand is going to receive regular amount of rain, it means we will have over-supply of rain in days to come, which will again come out as an adverse situation for farmers,” said Tiwari.