This year, Rajasthan has received record rainfall which has affected the state’s kharif crops. Despite bumper sowing, rain-fed crops are likely to suffer by 30-40 per cent, according to commodity traders. More than half of the produce that will reach the markets will also be spoiled. The damage may be reduced by 10-20 per cent if the weather improves.
Ramavtar Khandelwal, a trader from Kookarkheda, said that among the major kharif crops, guar accounts for 30-50 per cent loss and 40-50 per cent loss in Moong.
“The crop that will reach the market, like bajra, will not be of good quality. We estimate that there will be a 30-40 per cent loss in pearl millet (bajra). If the weather does not improve, the millet will turn black and the crop will only be fit for animal fodder,” Khandelwal said.
Another trader, KG Jhalani, said that no damage had been observed in the groundnut crops yet. He further informed that the main cause of the damage is believed to be rot, spotting and lack of kernels in the crops.
“But this rain will be very beneficial in the upcoming rabi season. Due to excess rainfall, filling of dams and overflowing of rivers, the water level in the soil has increased. The biggest problem in rabi crops was irrigation, which will now be reduced,” Jhalani said.
As far as sowing is concerned, the final kharif sowing list was released by the Rajasthan Agriculture Department on September 4. According to this, in the state, paddy has been sown in 2.97 lakh hectares more than 145 per cent of the target, jowar in 6.60 lakh hectares 108 per cent of the target, millet in 43.24 lakh hectares 98 per cent of the target, green gram in 23.15 lakh hectares 92 per cent of the target, moth in 10.39 lakh hectares 106 per cent of the target, groundnut in 8.54 lakh hectares around 105 per cent, soybean in 11.23 lakh hectares 97 per cent of the target, guar in 27.20 lakh hectares or around 98 per cent of the target.
Agriculture and allied sectors contribute around 27 percent to the state’s GDP.
First published: September 13, 2024 | 11:43 PM IS
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