Friday, June 20, 2008

Crops of Maharashtra

SEASON AND CROP CONDITION OF MAHARASHTRA STATE FOR THE YEAR 2002-2003

State received premonsoon rains in some parts of the state in second fortnight of May. This rainfall proved useful for presowing agricultural operations of kharif crops. Usually, monsoon starts by 7th June in the state, but during this year i.e. 2002-2003, monsoon commenced in the state by 11th June, 2002. During 11th to 20th June, monsoon rains received with light to medium intensity in Konkan, Western Maharashtra and Marathwada region. While in Amravati, Nagpur Divisions rainfall was comparatively less. This resulted in delayed sowing of Kharif crops.

The monsoon resumed after 21st June and spread throughout the state. On 25th, 26th and 27th June, heavy to very heavy rainfall recorded in Konkan , Vidarbha, Marathwada and Nasik division. By the end of 30th June , out of 33 districts, 30 districts received rains more than average rainfall while remaining 3 districts viz. Latur, Osmanabad and Gadchiroli received 80% to 100% rainfall. Satisfactory rains were received in almost all districts of the state and the awaited sowing geared up rapidly. 23% sowing was completed at the end of June. Heavy rains received in June month helped to complete the paddy transplanting in Konkan division.

The state has faced a very big dry spell of 25-30 days in the month of July. In the month of July, out of 33 ditricts, only 2 districts received 51 to 75% rainfall, 18 districts received 26 to 50% rainfall while 13 districts received less than 25% rainfall. Due to this big dry spell, sowing of kharif crops and transplanting of Paddy was withheld. Growth of kharif crops sown on light to medium soil hampered badly short duration crops like Mung, Udid, Bajra and to some extent Soyabean are the most affected crops. The growth of all kharif crops was stunted . 88% kharif sowing was completed at the end of July, 2002.

Satisfactory rains received during first fortnight of August in all parts of the state. This helped to sustain the standing kharif crops. Transplanting of Paddy was geared up. In the month of August, 25 districts received above normal rainfall and 8 districts received 76 to 100% rainfall . 93% sowing of kharif crops was completed at the end of August.

Light to medium rains were received in first week of September. From second week of September, the rainfall in the state was ceased. In the month of September, 4 districts received above normal rainfall, 8 districts received 76% to 100% rainfall, 13 districts received 51 to 75% rinfall, 8 districts received 26 to 50% rainfall. Sowing of kharif crops was completed to the extent of 99% at the end of September. Infestation of new pest, white wooly aphid on sugarcane was reported from Kolhapur and Pune division.

The state has experienced a second dry spell from second fortnight of September to first fortnight of October. Rains again started in the third week of October. In the month of October, 7 districts received above normal rainfall, 8 districts received 76 to 100% rainfall, 7 districts received 51 to 75% rainfall, 2 districts received 26 to 50% rainfall and 9 districts received 0 to 25% rainfall. 99% kharif sowing was completed at the end of October. The monsoon withdrew from the state on 21st October,2002.

The total normal rainfall of the state is 1181.1 m.m. The total rainfall received during the period 1st June to 31st October 2002 is 1016.5 m.m. The percentage of actual rainfall to normal rainfall is 86% i.e. State has received 14% less rainfall during the year 2002. During the period 1st June to 31st October, 2002, 7 districts received above normal rainfall, 17 districts received 76 to 100% rainfall while 9 districts received 51 to 75% rainfall.

Due to less rainfall and two major dry spells in kharif, the growth of kharif crops was not satisfactory. Short duration crops affected to a great extent. As per the tentative estimate, 37% reduction is expected in kharif foodgrains production, 27% reduction is expected in production of kharif oilseeds, 44% reduction is expected in production of cotton and 39% reduction in sugarcane production is expected.

Rainfall in September and October decides the prospects of rabi season. Due to less rainfall in September and October, sowing of rabi crops was delayed. Particularly, sowing of rabi Jowar was withheld, as a result, 26% area under rabi Jowar is reduced. 62% sowing of rabi crops is completed in the state till first week of November

No comments: