Keeping in view the low rainfall and status of paddy crop sowing report in the district, DC Sunil Kumar has directed the members of district task force to plan for alternative crops as soon as possible.
He has directed the project director of ATMA to collect reports from the blocks through their technical officers and farmers. The meeting of district task force took place in collectorate hall. Presiding over the meeting, Sunil Kumar also directed the officers to distribute Kisan Credit Cards within two days and to submit a report of distribution to him.
In this meeting, it was stated that this year till July 31, paddy crop has been sown only in 12,265 hectares of land against the target of 84,000 hectares. This is about 15% of the target. In July only 149.8mm rainfall has been recorded in the district which is about half of the normal rainfall expected. The officers said that the situation may get better by August 15 if the State recieves ample rainfall.
Due to less rainfall in June and July, crops cultivation has also been effected in the district. The reports presented that oil yielding crops were cultivated in 1,368 hectares of land against a target of 2,483 hectares. Similarly pulse crops have been sown in 8,568 hectares against the target of 12,744 hectare, maize in 10,812 hectares against the target of 11,940 hectares and other crops in only 299 hectares against the target of 2,450 hectares.
The officers of irrigation and waterways division reported that due to short rainfall this year there is less water in the reservoirs. They said that if the situation remains the same then after some months there will be shortage of even drinking water.