Delayed monsoon has affected kharif crop sowing in Maharashtra with the area sown declining by 50 per cent.
A senior Maharashtra Government official said though the government is worried about the situation, it has not reached an alarming stage. Normal rains in July could completely alter the picture.
Of the total area of 132.34 lakh hectares cultivated under kharif, about 2.24 lakh hectares have been sown by the farmers in the State, while last year it was 4.48 lakh hectares. In the current crop season, just four per cent of the cultivable area has been sown with paddy; cotton (5 per cent); maize and groundnut (one per cent each), said a statement from the Chief Minister’s office.
The statement added that till June 19, the State has received 104 mm of rainfall, which is 74 per cent of the average rainfall for the month.
In the comparable period last year, the State had 109 per cent rainfall.
Meteorological Scientist at the Mumbai Met office, Mr K.S. Hosalikar, told Business Line that despite late arrival, the South-West monsoon has covered almost 90 per cent of the State.
However, areas such as Nashik and Dhule in North-central region of the State continue to be under dry spell, he said.
“Monsoon is delayed but its overall performance cannot be predicted today. We would be closely watching July, as the whole State receives maximum rains in that month,” Mr Hosalikar said.