Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Bulletin No. 15/2012

7th September 2012

Status of Monsoon  and Contingency Crop Planning for

Deficit/Surplus Areas of the Country

            During the last one week, very good rainfall has occurred in all the deficit areas of the country, viz., North Gujarat, Saurashtra, Punjab, Haryana  and Karnataka.  The number of deficit with more than 50% deficit rainfall have come down to 55 as on 5th September 2012.  As such, in many states, the crop status is good with no major incidence of pests and diseases.  However, the following points are to be noted:

1.         In Gujarat, no kharif sowings is recommended at this stage in the unsown areas.  Porbandar and Kutch districts have remained deficit and large areas have not been sown. 

Only fodder crops like giant sorghum and bajra are recommended. In the Central Gujarat, transplanting of tobacco and vegetables is recommended in view of favourable weather. 

2.         In Karnataka, there has been a good progress in the sowing in north and south Karnataka.  Fertilizer application, weeding and interculture are recommended in all rainfed crops.  In finger millet growing areas of south Karnataka, gap filling may be down by transplanting in areas with sparce plant population. If still there are some unsown areas, minor millets like foxtail millet and little millet can be sown upto 15th September and horsegram upto 30th September.  In north Karnataka, in areas remained unsown during kharif only moisture conservation practices like compartmental bunding are recommended to keep the area for rabi sowing.

3.         In western Rajasthan, in areas where kharif crops are not sown, early rabi crops like toria, taramira/chickpea are recommended in late September.  

4.         In Telangana and western Madhya Pradesh, cotton and soybean crops have been damaged in some areas due to heavy rains due to water logging.  Farmers are advised to drain out the excess water to relieve the yellowing symptom.  Pests like spodoptera are seen on cotton due to continuous humid weather and farmers are advised to remain alert for need based control methods.

5.         In  Punjab and Haryana, most districts have received scattered rains during the week cutting down the water requirement, however, Ferozpur and Fatehgadhsaheb remained highly deficient.  Water saving practices are to be followed in paddy.