The Meteorology Department has warned of heavy rains in Rajgarh, Mandsaur, Ujjain, Neemuch, Gwalior, Morena, Sheopur and Guna districts. In view of forecast of heavy rains also in Jabalpur, Hoshangabad and Shahdol divisions, farmers have been advised to ensure water outflow from their fields to save Kharif plantations.
On the basis of information received from the Met department, the Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Directorate has asked the farmers to remain alert.It has been informed that this situation of heavy rains has been created by low-pressure area built up near Guna. With this, monsoon will further advance into the state and bring incessant rainfall at most places and sporadic light rains in some areas.
Agriculture scientists have advised farmers not to let water get logged in fields, otherwise, plants will pale and rotten up. Water logging will not make any impact only on paddy plantations. Farmers have been appealed to undertake farming in accordance with weather conditions. Sowing operations should be undertaken only when moisture emerges.
Besides, farm inputs including seeds, fertilisers etc. should be saved from moisture. Farmers for whom water for one-two rounds of irrigation is likely to be available in September-October should sow soybean alone.
If due to uncertainty of weather, there is lack of moisture in September-end or second week of October as a result of scanty rainfall, then soybean crops can be saved from drying up through irrigation.Farmers depending on rainwater should sow any other crop than soybean. They can sow crops which require less irrigation including moong and urad apart from millet, maize, bajra, ragi, kodu, kutki, coarse kutki, linseed and Ramtil.
Farmers have been informed to contact their nearest agriculture office regarding any agriculture-related problem.