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Rains still play truant, govt chalks out adaptation plan

District collectors, agricultural experts working with farmers to change crop patterns in drought-prone areas.

rain, mumbai rain, adaptation plan, mumbai adaptation plan, agriculture, farmers, mumbai news, Indian Express After the initial showers, the long dry spell has adversely hit 20 lakh farmers across 14 districts of the state. (Express photo)

With monsoons showing no signs of revival over the last 25-35 days, the state government is exploring options to get farmers to adopt changes in the crop pattern in some districts.

District collectors are working along with agriculture experts and local farmers on measures which would be backed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

As the last week of July begins, five districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada have shown no signs of rains, which will impact traditional farming practices. The Ministry of Agriculture has estimated that if rains continue until mid-August, it would help override the drinking water scarcity and partially meet the needs of the kharif crop.

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Almost 60 per cent of the sowing was completed by mid-July and arrival of rains has lead to remaining 40 per cent during the next week.

The districts that the rains have failed include Akola and Buldana in Vidarbha and Osmanabad, Latur and Jalna in Marathwada.

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The chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The revival of monsoons after a long dry spell is good news. Let us hope it covers districts which are worst hit by the drought.” After the initial showers, the long dry spell has adversely hit 20 lakh farmers across 14 districts of the state.

The government on its part has ordered disbursement of seeds to farmers who have taken to delayed sowing and has also deployed additional tankers in districts that have seen no signs of rains.

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An official in the department of agriculture told The Sunday Express, “The last four days of moderate rains have brought some relief to the farmers. We are trying to salvage what ever was lost in the first round of sowing of crops. And also considering if we could help the farmers where rains are erratic to adopt to some crop pattern changes to make them self reliant.”

One of the solutions under consideration is to promote horticulture alongside on smaller scale to ensure sustenance of the farmers with the help of some financial support from the state government.

The cultivation of fruits and vegetables with low investment is being worked with local farmers groups in across villages facing a water crisis.

First uploaded on: 26-07-2015 at 00:53 IST
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