Prolonged dry spell hits paddy transplantation
Wednesday, 04/07/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120704/punjab.htm#4
The prolonged dry spell, sweltering heat and long power cuts have been giving a tough time to farmers as they are finding it hard to transplant paddy. While monsoon usually arrives in Punjab in the last week of June, this year it has been delayed by over a week. Even pre-monsoon showers have eluded most part of the state so far.
"Paddy transplantation has slowed in the state because of the continuing dry weather. Moreover, the cost of cultivation and transplantation of paddy has also gone up tremendously because of the heat wave," said Agriculture Department Director Mangal Singh Sandhu. So far, paddy has been transplanted on 14.5 lakh hectares as compared to last year's figure of 17 lakh hectares till July 3.
The delay in monsoon has particularly affected marginal and small farmers, most of whom do not own tube wells. They either depend on canal irrigation or on other farmers from whom they buy tube well water. "In case the entire targeted area is not covered under paddy, farmers will be advised to sow pulses, maize and toria in the remaining parts," said Sandhu. “We have fixed a target to transplant paddy, including basmati, on 27.80 lakh hectares this year. We are hopeful of achieving this target provided there is good rainfall in next few weeks," said Sandhu.
This year, area under basmati cultivation would increase by 50,000 hectares. It was 7.50 lakh hectares in 2011. Basmati could be transplanted till July-end.
Direct-sowing campaign
The Agriculture Department on Tuesday launched a statewide campaign for direct sowing of paddy. "The adoption of direct sowing by farmers will save them Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 an acre," said Agriculture Department Director Mangal Singh Sandhu.
