Regular Update
ATM News Network: The Maharashtra government has issued a recommendation to farmers, urging them to delay the sowing of kharif crops until the state receives sufficient rainfall. Maharashtra holds the distinction of being the leading producer of toor or arhar, as well as sugar, and it is the second-largest producer of cotton and soybeans.
As of now, the state has only received 11% of the normal June rainfall, and a meager 1% of the kharif sowing has been completed. To address this situation, the agricultural department of Maharashtra recently held a meeting with top officials from the India Meteorology Department to discuss contingency measures in light of the delayed monsoon.
In a statement released on Wednesday, agriculture commissioner Sunil Chavhan mentioned that the normal arrival time of the monsoon has been delayed due to climate change. According to the India Meteorology Department, the revised estimated arrival of the monsoon in Maharashtra is around June 24-25.
To avoid the need for resowing, the government has advised farmers to commence sowing operations only after receiving 80-100 millimeters of rainfall. Additionally, farmers are encouraged to utilize 20% more seeds than usual and opt for short-duration crop varieties to mitigate a substantial decline in production. The government further advises farmers to engage in intercropping rather than relying solely on a single crop, thereby reducing the risk associated with crop failures.
