With the spectre of sub-optimum rainfall looming large in UP, the state government has started bracing up for deficient rainfall forthe ongoing Kharif sowing season.
Government agencies are encouraging farmers to sow less water-intensive crops like millets, harnessing canals and tube wells, go for paddy cultivation only if monsoon picks up and also seek crop insurance cover.
Till date, monsoon has been subdued with the state receiving only 166 mm rainfall since June 2018 against the normal rain of 356 mm.
The months of June was largely dry and the state received only 35.8 mm rains as compared to the normal level of 88.7 mm. In June, 2017, the state recorded 61.2 mm of rains.
While the state government was optimistic that the monsoon would gain momentum in the weeks to come as forecast by Met Office, it was keeping a watch on emerging situation so as to insulate farmers against deficit rains and the spectre of a possible drought in areas.
last week, Agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi took stock of rainfall and Kharif crop sowing situation at a meeting.
Kharif sowing including paddy, pulses and coarse cereals have already reported to be less than normal due to weak monsoon and the farmers were awaiting adequate rains before sowing cash crops to cut on irrigation expenses and concurrent uncertainty.
Shahi directed Agriculture department officials to encourage farmers to sow millets and less water-intensive crops such as jawar, bajra, urad, moong, kodo (a type of millet), sawan (barnyard) etc. He also directed them to ensure easy and ready availability of seeds for distribution among farmers.
Besides, the Agriculture minister set a deadline of July 30 to decide the next course of action if monsoon did not revive.
Shahi also asked Irrigation department officers to energise pump canals for operating at full capacity for ensuring their optimum utilisation if rainfall was deficient.
In UP, total sowing area is estimated at 166 lakh hectares (lH) which include Rabi and Kharif crops. Kharif crops alone is sowed at an estimated 94 lH that includes 60 lH of paddy. So far, total Kharif sowing stands at about 30% against the target. Although, about 82% of agri- land in the state is irrigated, yet rains play a vital role in irrigation and any failure results in lower farm output and burden on the exchequer.