This year, target Kharif area in the State is 125.92 lakh hectares against 123.80 lakh hectares last year.Against the target, sowing operations have been completed in 51.39 lakh hectares so far. This is 40.8 per cent of the target this year and 41.9 per cent against last year’s target. Kharif sowing operations for Kharif are underway at a rapid pace in the state, especially in Malwa region where farmers have rushed through sowing operations of soybean following clear weather after adequate rains. It is more than the rate of sowing of Kharif crops in the same period last year.
According to information received from districts, food grains crops have been sown in about 10 lakh hectares. It is 25 per cent of target of 39.67 lakh for these crops. Of these, maize has been sown in 6.88 lakh hectares, which is 60 per cent of the target of 11.50 lakh hectares. Paddy has been sown in 1.90 lakh hectares against the target of 21.60 hectares. So far, paddy has been sown mostly in irrigated areas. At present, nurseries of paddy are being raised to be sown in fields after adequate rains. Among pulses, farmers have sown tuar and urad partially. Against the target of 16.55 lakh hectares, farmers have sown pulses crops in 2.77 lakh hectares so far. Against target of 32.68 lakh hectares, staple Kharif crop of the state, soybean has been sown in 56.50 lakh hectares this year, which is 58 percent of the target.
Other Kharif crops including oil seeds – groundnut, linseed and Ramtil have been sown 33.42 lakh hectares. Cotton has been sown in 6.20 lakh hectares which is 85 per cent of the target. According to Director Agriculture Mohan lal, current sowing operations are satisfactory. last year, crops were sown in only 1.97 per cent area in the corresponding period. If rains keep coming timely, it is possible that Kharif sowings might exceed the target. Situation of seed germination in sown areas is normal. The department is providing farm inputs regularly and storage of fertilisers, seeds and medicines is being done as per demand in districts.