Dry spell may hit kharif crops, Govt begins review

Dry spell may hit kharif crops, Govt begins review
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NASHIK, AUG 7: The continuous dry spell in various parts of Maharashtra, is likely to affect the growth of kharif crops.

State Revenue Minister Ashok Chavan told reporters that a district-wise review of the situation had been undertaken. He said that the most affected parts of the State were Western Maharashtra and Marathwada, while the situation in Konkan and Vidarbha was satisfactory. He said that the district collectors had been instructed to submit a report through the respective divisional commissioners within a week to enable the State Cabinet to take a policy decision by August 15.

Chavan further said that if the dry spell continued for more than ten days, the kharif harvest would be adversely affected. He pointed out that in some parts of the State, the initial sowing had gone waste due to the dry spell and farmers had to resort to resowing the seeds. He pointed out that the silver lining to the cloud was that most of the dams in the State even in Western Maharashtra and Marathwada regions were almost full because of initial good rainfall. He said that after the district-wise review the State Cabinet might consider distribution of water from dams for irrigation purposes to save the kharif crops.

According to official figures, about 90 per cent of sowing in the Nashik district has been completed by farmers. In areas like Sinnar and Yeola, the seeds had failed to germinate or have dried up due to the dry spell and several parties and organisations, including the local NCP unit has demanded that the government should declare a drought and extend concessions and compensation to the affected farmers.