Sowing of Kharif crops almost complete in Maharashtra- Possibility of damage due to heavy rains in some areas

13-Aug-2024 02:53 PM

Pune. Western State- Due to good and regular rains of south-west monsoon this year in Maharashtra, farmers are getting an opportunity to complete the sowing of Kharif crops on time. According to the data received,

sowing of Kharif crops has already been completed in 98 percent of the target set in the state, which does not include sugarcane.

The Agriculture Department had set a target of cultivating Kharif crops in 142.02 lakh hectares, while the sowing process has been completed in 139.46 lakh hectares. Including sugarcane, the average of total sowing area stands at 152.97 lakh hectares.

As of August 7, 2024, Kharif crops were sown in 141.02 lakh hectares in Maharashtra, which was 92 percent of the target set.

In comparison, during the same period last year, crops were sown in 133.67 lakh hectares or 87 per cent area.

After removing sugarcane, the total area was 131.75 lakh hectares. According to the Agriculture Department, replanting of paddy was required in some areas and it is now almost complete. Similarly, re-sowing of millets has also been completed.

Apart from this, sowing of jowar, bajra, maize, soybean, tur (tuvar), urad, green gram, groundnut and cotton has now reached its final stage while other crops are in various stages of progress.

In many areas, the process of flowering in soybean crop has started. The green gram and urad plants are growing and expanding well. The groundnut and cotton crop is in good condition.

Although overall the condition of Kharif crops in Maharashtra is satisfactory, but due to heavy rains and floods, there are reports of partial damage to crops in Konkan,

Pune, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nagpur divisions. Maharashtra received 766.5 mm of rainfall during June to August 5, 2024,

which was much higher than the normal average of 584.6 mm. Last year, there was less rainfall there. This year, Kharif crops were damaged in some areas due to extremely heavy rains in July.