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New Delhi: A distinct improvement in kharif sowing levels is observed because of the pick-up in monsoon rainfall activity, especially in the western, central and southern regions.
The Agriculture Ministry’s latest Crop Weather Watch Report, released on July 17, shows that the acreage deficits in most crops have registered significant reduction following the reasonable monsoon precipitation in the current month.
During July 2-15, the country as a whole has recorded a rainfall deficit of only 1.3 per cent (in relation to the long period average or ‘normal). This is against a deficit of 45.9 per cent in the opening month of South-West monsoon season (June-September) from June 1 to July 1.
The result of this is that it is only in paddy, bajra (pearl millet) and moong (green gram) where progressive planting is still lagging substantially over last year. In all other crops, the acreage deficits have considerably narrowed down.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted the formation of a fresh low pressure area over the north-west Bay of Bengal around July 19. That is expected to boost rainfall activity in many parts of central and adjoining east and south Peninsular India, besides the highly parched north-west India in the coming week.
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