Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture
Hyderabad
Bulletin No. 16/2012
14th September 2012
Status of Monsoon and Contingency Crop Planning for
Deficit/Surplus Areas of the Country
During the last one week, widespread rainfall occurred in the rainfall deficit areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat region, Saurashtra & Kutch. The number of deficit districts with more than 50% deficit rainfall has come down to 51 as on 12th 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, widespread rainfall during this week has brought down deficit to -27% from -32% in Gujarat region and in Saurashtra region deficit has come down to -37% from the deficit of -49%, last week. In view of the receipt of rainfall for past few days, castor (GCH-2, GCH-4, GCH-5 and GCH-7) and sorghum (GFS-4 and GFS-5) are recommended to be sown as contingent crops in North Gujarat; maize (African top), sorghum (Gundari), chickpea (GG-2), seasame (Purva-1), castor (GCH-4 and GCH-7) are recommended to be sown in South Gujarat and Saurashtra region.
2. In Karnataka, there has been a good progress in the sowing in north and south Karnataka. In the unsown areas’ maize (Deccan-103 and South African maize) can be sown within few days for fodder purpose. Sowing of minor millets like fox tail millet, little millet, cow pea (TVX-944, KBC-1 and KBC-2), field bean (HA-3 and HA-4) can be sown immediately. Horsegram (KBH-1 and PHG-9) can be sown up to 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. Fodder sorghum and fodder maize can be taken up to avoid fodder scarcity. Intercultivation and removal of excess seedlings are recommended to conserve soil moisture in already sown crops. Farmers are advised to keep land and inputs ready for sowing of rabi crops like chickpea, safflower and wheat.
3. In western Rajasthan, in areas where kharif crops are not sown, early rabi crops like toria, taramira/chickpea are recommended in late September. Farmers are advised to drain out excess water in standing crops in eastern and southern parts of Rajasthan.
4. In Punjab widespread moderate rainfall was received during the last week.
5. In Haryana, though scattered rainfall occurred in the state, still rainfall deficit is -42%. Foliar application of 2% urea with 0.5% Zinc Sulphate is advised for good growth of standing crops. Interculture and moisture conservation measures are advised for conserving soil moisture.
6. Maharashtra state as a whole received 934.0 mm of rainfall during the season which is 94% of its normal. In Marathwada region, widespread rainfall occurred during the last week and rainfall has improved condition of standing crops and reduced fodder problem in this region. Farmers are advised to drain out excess water from standing crops and in late sown cotton and pigeon pea crops intercultural operations are recommended for conserving soil moisture.
All the districts of Madhya Maharashtra received 50 to 75 mm rainfall during the last week. In view of receipt of sufficient rainfall farmers are advised to sow rabi crops like sorghum (Phule uttara, Phule panchami, Parbhani moti, CSV-22, M-35-1) in Solapur region. In Nasik region early varieties of rabi crops like sorghum (CSH-15R, CSH-18, Phule vasudha, Phule yashoda, Phule Mauli), Bengal gram (Vishal, vijay, digvijay), safflower (DSH-129, Bhima, Phule kusuma) are advised to be sown in shallow red soils. In deep black soils of Pune region, sowing of rabi crops like safflower (DSH-129, SSF-658, SSF-708), sorghum (CSH-15R, CSH-18, phule vasudha, phule yashoda, phule mauli), Bengal gram (vishal, PKV-2, PKV-4) is advised. In Vidarbha region, immediate measures to be taken to drain out water logging in field crops and orchards.