Rain favourable for rabi sowing, farmers expecting rich gains

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 17

While moderate snowfall in the higher hills has given a boost to the state tourism, widespread rain in the mid and lower hills has proved to be a boon for farmers as the showers have coincided with the rabi sowing season starting early November.

“The rain is beneficial for rabi sowing during this period, which starts in early November. Nearly 50 per cent of the sowing is completed by mid-November," Director, Agriculture, Desh Raj Sharma said.

He added that the sowing was expected to be completed by December 15.

The monsoon ended up with 12 per cent excess rain, providing sufficient moisture to the soil and periodical rain during November has made the conditions congenial for seed germination.

Periodical rain is essential for sowing, cultivation and harvesting of crops as nearly 8 per cent of the cultivated area is rainfed. Though poor monsoon, dry weather post-monsoon and scanty rain hit the crop prospects, conditions are favourable so far.

A target of 4-lakh hectares has been set for rabi sowing and wheat crop will be sown on 3.60 lakh hectares, while vegetables will be grown on 40,000 hectares to meet the production target of 16.60 lakh MT of foodgrains and 16.50 lakh MT of vegetables fixed for 2018-19, while the target for rabi crop is 7.83 lakh MT and 6.60 lakh MT.

"The target for kharif production for 2018 is fixed at 8.96 lakh MT, which includes 7.42 lakh MT of maize, 1.32 lakh MT of paddy, besides 10.15 lakh MT of vegetables. It is likely to be achieved by December-end, while the total foodgrains and vegetable production target will be easily achieved as the rabi crop prospects look bright," said sources in the department.

Himachal has made rapid strides in vegetable production, which has already surpassed total foodgrain production as farmers are taking to off-season vegetable cultivation, which fetches them handsome returns.

Off-season vegetable cultivation has become the mainstay of farmers in Solan, Shimla, Mandi and Sirmaur districts. The highest target of 1.93 lakh MT has been fixed for Solan, followed by Shimla (1.50 lakh MT), Mandi (1.30 lakh MT) and Sirmaur (1.89 lakh MT).