The drought-like situation is likely to hit economy of Rajasthan hard. The state government expects a loss of around Rs 4,000 crore because of the decline in sowing, this year.
According to state agriculture department estimates, the combined sowings of rabi and kharif crops will be only in 9.37 million hectares in 2002, one of the lowest in the past 50 years.
Among the worst hit will be bajra, guar, moong and groundnut crops. Sowing of bajra has declined by around 2.3 million hectares, jowar by 300,000 hectares, maize by 200,000 hectares, soyabean by 200,000 hectares and pulses by 1.5 million hectares. Of the estimated 12.9 million hectares, kharif has been shown only in 6.35 million hectares.
Rajasthan received only 30 per cent of normal rainfall this year and agricultural land remains mostly deficient in humidity for rabi crops.
Under normal circumstances, rabi crops are sown on around seven million hectares, but this year the agriculture department estimates sowing in only 3.01 million hectares.
This year monsoon was the worst in the past 17 years. The state received only 16.7 centimetres of rainfall against an average 45.7 centimetres.
While the eastern parts of the state received 26 centimetres of rainfall against the normal 65 centimetres, the western parts recorded only 8.6 centimetres against the normal 29.4 centimetres.
All 32 districts of the state received deficient to scanty rainfall. Nineteen districts, including Alwar, Sikar, Tonk, Sirohi, Hanumangarh and Jaipur, and the western part of the state received less than 20 per cent rainfall.
Thirteen districts, including Banswara, Bharatpur, Bhil-wara, Bundi, Dausa, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Jalore, Kota, Rajsamand and Udaipur received insufficient rainfall.
Around 80 per cent of the population of the state live in rural areas and is dependent on agriculture.
The state government is making efforts to improve irrigation facilities and has earmarked Rs 357 crore for irrigation.
