Agriculture scientists in Chhattisgarh have termed the current weather in the State to be most ideal for sowing maize and sunflower seeds.
The scientists at the Agro Metrology Department of the Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU) in Raipur also suggested giving water for irrigation in wheat crop within an interval of 20 to 25 days.
“Vegetables which were transplanted last month should be given nitrogenous fertilisers after inter-cultural operation. Moreover, it is essential to prepare the seedling of Cucurbitaceous vegetables,” mentioned a report of the Agrometrology Department.
As per the latest observation recorded at Agro met Observatory, IGAU, there was variation in the temperature from 30 to 35.5 degrees Celsius. Similarly, low temperature varied from 10 to 50 degrees Celcius. The humidity has gone up by 50 or 60 levels.
The rising mercury levels across the State during past one week dropped by five to six degrees on Tuesday turning it favourable for all.
Raipur Meteorogical Centre Director Ml Sahu said. “The lowest temperature was recorded today at Ambikapur which is close to 9 degrees Celcius. Meanwhile, Raipur’s weather is around 6 degrees Celcius low compared to other days.”
The maximum and minimum temperature in Raipur was 31 degrees Celcius and 16.8 degrees Celcius. In Bilaspur it was 30.8 degrees Celcius and 13 degrees Celcius followed by Jagdalpur with 32 degrees Celcius and 16.5 degrees Celcius, Pendra Road 27.7 degrees Celcius and 9.8 degrees Celcius. In Ambikapur it was 25.4 degrees Celcius and 9 degrees Celcius respectively.
Notably, there had been an increase of 20 per cent in Maize crop acreage in Chhattisgarh during the past 10 years.
Maize is the second most-sought after crop after paddy preferred by farmers in Chhattisgarh. The crop is used in cornflakes, oil extraction, starch, making popcorn, organic fuel and for many other purposes, officials stated.
Maize is mainly produced in Bastar district's 'Patar' region (Plateau area) and Surguja's hilly terrain during the Kharif season. It is grown in these areas in the courtyard for the past several generations. The tribal farmers grow Maize and shift to taking up oilseeds crops.
The farmers grow two crops on an unirrigated agricultural land in a year. The crop can be grown all over the year with irrigation facilities. The farmers sow soyabean, paddy and also Makka crops. After paddy, corn is the
most popular crop among farmers in the State.
The market is readily available for Maize whether it is for — maize seeds, for fodder, popcorn and many other purposes.
Traders purchase corn directly from the farmers' fields in the villages. Sweet corn is also in several villages at present. The plateau areas of Bastar higher reaches and Surguja district's hilly terrain are ideally suited for cultivating corn crop.
Agriculture is dependent on monsoon rains and Maize is a major crop for the farmers in these regions. It can be grown in any part of the State. If the crop is grown on a scientific basis it can be grown on a limited expenditure, labour and minimum capital.
The sowing of Maize seeds are done on a row-basis. It is cultivated and grown in a short period of time.
Maize crop was sown on land acreage of 1.60 lakh hectares in 2003-2004 and the output was 2.24 lakh metric ton. The sowing had increased to 1.92 lakh hectares of land in the year 2012-2013. The percentage of land used for sowing corn has increased by 20 per cent and the production by 56 per cent. The output was 3.50 lakh metric tonnes in 2012-2013.
The Agriculture Department is primarily responsible for the rapid growth in output and popularity of the maize crop among the farmers in Chhattisgarh. Mini-kits are supplied to the farmers and technical advice is provided whenever it is deemed fit. Extension Reforms ( Aatma) programme helped the farmers in getting details of the corn crop. There is huge potential for spreading corn crop in the entire State.