Deficient rains threaten Kharif crop production in U.P.

Uttar Pradesh’s 67 districts recorded deficient rainfall this monsoon

With deficient rains across Uttar Pradesh in this monsoon, farmers are staring at difficult days ahead fearing a sharp decline in their Kharif produce.

As per the data of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Uttar Pradesh received only 170 millimetre (mm) rainfall between June 1 and July 29, which is 50% less than the normal rainfall of 342.8 mm.

Of the total 75 districts of the State, 67 recorded deficient rainfall while only seven recorded normal rainfall during this period.

The less rainfall is reflected in the drop in Kharif cropping across the State. As per the State agriculture department, of the total 96.03 lh (lakh hectare), the total acreage of Kharif plantation, close to 72 lh, has been cultivated till July 29. Of the total Kharif acreage, 60 lh is used for paddy plantation which has lagged this year.

"The paddy cropping in the state has been done at around 40 lh in the state which is around 65% of the total area. This has mainly occurred due to delay in the monsoon and less rainfall," Baldev Singh Aulakh, the Minister of State for Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh told PTI.

The Minister added that the paddy farming will exceed 90% in a week's time if normal rains continue.

Paddy farmers first sow paddy seeds in nurseries, where the seeds germinate into seedlings for a period of 25 to 35 days. The farmers then uproot these seedlings and replant them in the field.