Rains fail to hit MP kharif crops

Despite monsoons arriving late in Madhya Pradesh, the Kharif crop-sowing process is better than that of last year. The sowing of the seeds in almost 99-lakh hectare of land, nearly 95 per cent of the target of the state has been completed.

It has been raining satisfactorily in the entire state. "The sowing of the main crop of soya bean is around 99 per cent completed," said Agriculture Production Commissioner, Iqbal Ahmed at a press meet.

The commissioner said that the till-seeds have been sown in 2.45 lakh hectare land, which is more than the target of 1.5 lakh hectare; thus, the position is worth praising considerably.

He also pointed out that against the target of 104-lakh hectare land to be sown, almost 99.31lakh hectare has been completed, which is of course, more than that of the last year's figure of 91.44-lakh hectare.

Further on, Ahmed said that about hundred per cent sowing has been completed in the Ujjain and Indore regions. So, it is concluded that the position of crop yielding would be regarded as the best in the whole state. The same in other regions has been carried out from 88-96 per cent.

A comparative statement showing the targets and the actual achievement in the sowing in the State, as per the position of August 2006 is summarised in the box.

Ahmed also added that there was possibility that paddy sowing area would increase in the near future as rains have crossed the average figure in ten districts of the state - Neemuch, Sidhi, Mandsaur, Barwani, Ujjain, Dhar, Jhabua, Khargone, Anooppur and Ashoknagar.

In 23 districts of the state, rains were average, while in the remaining 15 ones, it was a bit lesser than the average. But it is still raining in most of the districts. So, it may reach the average limits soon.

He further said that the seeds, fertilizers as well as pesticides were available in sufficient quantities to meet the requirement of the farmers.