Bargarh: Monsoon rain that played truant in June is worrying farmers here, who have suffered substantial losses in July.
Of the 3,48,747-hectare cultivable land in the district, known as rice bowl of the state, paddy is grown in 2,51,000 hectares. Farmers begin preparation for their kharif cultivation with the advent of monsoon. Farmers in the non-irrigated Padmapur sub-division and some parts of Bargarh sub-division, who are unable to undertake cultivation during the rabi season, largely depend on rains for their kharif crops.
As the kharif season starts with June and with the district not receiving enough rainfall, the cultivation work has been severely affected. While the normal rainfall in the district during June is 205.66 mm, last month the region received 145.53 mm rain. As a result, fear of draught loomed large on the farming community.
The farmers looked forward to July rain, but the first half of July failed to bring any relief. By July 15, the average rainfall recorded in the district was much below expectations.
On the other hand, low pressure triggered rain since July 21 increased the average rainfall in the district. Subsequently, the average rainfall even crossed the normal rainfall mark in the district.
The district’s normal rainfall in the month of July is 397.20 mm, but it received more rain (401.18 mm) during the month. However, the farmers’ worries are far from over, as the district is yet to get any rain after July 21.
PNN