The irregular rainfall has become a cause of concern for the farmers and agro-based businesses. Considering the present scenario, Agro-MET experts have opined that kharif crops coverage has been adversely influenced due to uneven rainfall in Jharkhand especially in the North-West (NW) regions of the State which includes Palamau, Garhwa, Chatra, Koderma, latehar and lohardaga.
“Inconsistent rainfall and slow advancement of South-West (SW) monsoon in the month of June and July are the prime reasons for low coverage of kharif crops across the State. As per the previous prediction of India Meteorological Department (IMD), the State has not received sufficient amount of rainfall required for sowing and transplanting kharif crops in the peak season,” said Agro MET Expert of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU), Dr A Wadood on Wednesday.
“Ever since the onset of monsoon season, the coverage of kharif crops across the State till date is just 73 per cent which is immensely low in comparison to 2017. Coverage of Paddy is merely 76 per cent. A total of 13.5 lakh hectares of area has been covered this season for rice cultivation. Sowing and transplanting time is over. Now, 10 per cent increment in kharif crop coverage can be only expected,” Wadood further stated.
According to the Agro-MET expert, the rainfall was resumed in Mid July and major coverage of kharif crops had taken place in August first week, hence, delay in sowing and transplanting activities will now result in low yield. Meanwhile, the rainfall statistics released by MET Observatory Centre – Ranchi on Wednesday suggested that the State by far had received 550.2 mm rainfall against the normal 770.4 mm rainfall registering (–) 29 per cent deficit.
As per the data prepared from June 1 to August 22, maximum rain deficit was registered in Khunti district with (–) 64 per cent shortfall. Khunti district ever since the beginning of monsoon season had recorded 317 mm rainfall till August 22 while 879.5 mm rainfall is considered normal for the respective district. Besides Khunti, Chatra, Garhwa and Palamau districts are reeling under the drought like situation with the rain deficit crossing 50 per cent level. Following all the criteria of the MET, about 1092 mm rainfall throughout the monsoon season is categorized under normal or above normal category for Jharkhand.