Sufficient pre-monsoon showers and an early onset of monsoon this year are likely to end the plight of Jharkhand’s farmers who are yet to recover from the jolts of a major drought in 2018, agro-meteorological scientists said on Thursday.
The State has received sufficient pre-monsoon showers since June 2 this year and monsoon too is likely to hit Jharkhand by June 16, thereby making the weather conducive for sowing, said weather experts.
“Last year, Jharkhand had delayed onset of monsoon, which is why many districts could not get sufficient rains. This year, we have had sufficient pre-monsoon showers and monsoon too is likely to hit Jharkhand within the next fortnight,” said SD Kotal, Director, Meteorological Centre Ranchi.
In 2018, the State declared 18 of 24 districts drought-affected. As many as 93 blocks were declared severely affected, while 36 were told to be moderately affected. As per weather experts, seven districts –Koderma, Bokaro, Chatra, Deoghar, Garhwa, Khunti, Pakur—recorded rain deficit of 40 per cent and above during monsoon in 2018. Koderma and Pakur districts received 55 per cent less rains than its normal monsoon quota. The delayed onset of monsoon caused a rain deficit of at least 33 per cent last year in June, which disturbed the sowing process.
“2018 was clearly not a happy year for farmers. However, the current weather conditions indicate that farmers will have better yields this year,” said A Wadood, an agro-meteorological scientist
at Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi.
The soil in Jharkhand is tough and requires sufficient pre-monsoon rains for softening, he said, adding that the increased humidity and moisture in the soil is beneficial for farmers at this time of the year. “Pre-monsoon will ensure that by the time monsoon hits Jharkhand the farmers will be ready with sowing,” Wadood said.
Earlier, Jharkhand witnessed at least 150mm rainfall during pre monsoon from March to June every year; however, in the past four to five years pre monsoon rains have reduced, said weather experts. This fall in the pre monsoon rains has created drought-like situations in many districts, they added.
“MET department’s prediction says that Jharkhand will receive 96 per cent of its ideal quota of monsoon rains this year. This means that farmers will get sufficient rains,” Wadood said.
However, he expressed concern over possible deviation in the weather trend, which may harm crops. “The link between rains and crops is complex. Too much rains or hailstorm may also damage crops,” he said.
While the weather is in favour of farmers so far, the State government too is committed to provide all possible assistance to farmers this year. Chief Minister Raghubar Das recently directed the deputy commissioners of all the 24 districts here to connect the 51 lakh odd farmers in the state with Mukhyamantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana.
According to the scheme launched in 2019-2020 fiscal, Jharkhand farmers who have land holdings of up to five acres will get an annual incentive of Rs 5,000 per acre for Kharif production. The government plans to disburse the amount before the advent of monsoon here. The scheme is likely to cause a burden of Rs 2500 crore on the State exchequer.