RSS
   
You are here: Home Seasonal Bulletin
  • Print

Contingency Planning - Seasonal Bulletins

Current

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Bulletin No. 18/2012

28th September 2012

Status of Monsoon and Contingency Crop Planning for

Deficit/Surplus Areas of the Country

 

            During the last one week, monsoon was weak and confined to few parts of the country and as a result the rainfall deficit has increased slightly (-2 to -3%) and surplus was decreased slightly in all the sub-divisions of the country. Monsoon started withdrawing from northwestern states and it was completely withdrawn from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and New Delhi and withdrawn from most parts of West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat states. Rainfall in monsoon is still deficit in West Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh & New Delhi, Gujarat, Saurashtra & Kutch, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry, North and South Interior Karnataka and Kerala. The following contingency measures are suggested in deficit rainfall areas:

1.         Maharashtra state as a whole received 980.0 mm of rainfall during the season which is 90% of its normal. In Marathwada region, intercultural operations in late sown cotton and pigeonpea is advised. The standing crops experiencing moisture stress at grain filling stage need to be given protective irrigation. Farmers are advised to prepare land for rabi sowing immediately after harvesting short duration pulses. In Vidarbha region, condition of kharif crops is satisfactory. Farmers are advised to undertake field preparations and procurement of inputs for timely sowing of rainfed chickpea (ICCV-2, ICCV-10, JAKI-9218, SAKI-9516, PKV Harita, PKV Kabuli 2 and 4), safflower (Bhima, AKS-207, PKV Pink) and rabi sorghum (Maldandi, Yashoda, SPV-504, CASV-14R, PKV Krainti) in first fortnight of October. In Madhya Maharashtra region of Solapur farmers are advised to sow sorghum (Phule uttara, Phule panchami, Parbhani moti, CSV-22, M-35-1), Bengal gram (Vijay, Digvijay, BDNG-797) and safflower (DSH-129, SSF-658, SSF-708, Phule Kusuma). In Nasik region, with sufficient rainfall received farmers are advised to sow early varieties of rabi crops like sorghum, Bengal gram, safflower in shallow red soils. 

2.         Karnataka state as a whole received 596 mm of rainfall as against the normal of 816 mm for the season with a deficit of -27%.  In South Interior Karnataka farmers are suggested to take up gap filling in finger millet and intercultivation in early sown crops. Sowing of horsegram (cv. KBH-1 and PHG-9) can be taken upto 30th September. 

3.         Haryana state as whole received 283 mm rainfall against the normal of 462 mm with a deficit of -39%. Interculture and moisture conservation measures are advised for conserving soil moisture for sowing of rainfed rabi crops like raya, gram and other pulses. In view of the possible attack of jassids and sundi in cotton crop spraying of insecticides is recommended.

17

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Bulletin No. 17/2012

21st September 2012

Status of Monsoon  and Contingency Crop Planning for

Deficit/Surplus Areas of the Country  

 

            During the last one week, widespread rainfall occurred in Andaman & Nicobar islands, East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The number of deficit districts with more than 50% deficit rainfall has come down to 34 as on 19th September 2012 from 51 districts on 12th September. The deficit of the country as a whole has come down to -5%( normal). As such, in many states, the crop status is good with no major incidence of pests and diseases.  However, the following points are to be noted:

1.         In Bihar, due to widespread rainfall received during last week the condition of rice crop has improved and no contingency measure is suggested. However, taking advantage of sufficient rainfall, top dressing of Nitrogen @ 30kg / ha in the early sown crop and 40 kg / ha in late sown crop is advised.

2.         In Gujarat, majority of the districts remained dry during the last week. The farmers are advised to take up cultivation of fodder sorghum (GFS-4 and 5, S-1049 and Gundari) under optimum soil moisture. Farmers are also advised to carry out interculture operations in standing crops viz., tobacco, brinjal, chillies, tomato, cabbage and cauliflower. Pest control measures are to be taken up in cotton infected by sucking pests.

3.         In Karnataka, scattered light rains in the previous week has not improved the rainfall deficit situation in the state and still north interior and south interior are experiencing -30 and -21% deficit respectively. In South Interior Karnataka farmers are suggested to take up gap filling in finger millet and inter cultivation in early sown crops. Sowing of horsegram (cv. KBH-1 and PHG-9) can be taken upto 30th September. In the North Interior Karnataka priority can be given for sowing of crops like fodder sorghum and maize to avoid scarcity of fodder for livestock. Removal of excess and weak seedlings and interculture operations in standing crops are recommended to conserve soil moisture. Farmers are also advised to keep the lands and inputs ready for sowing of rabi crops like chickpea, safflower and wheat. In Dharward and Belgaum districts spraying of 2 ml trizophos 40 EC or 0.5 ml lambda Silothrin 5 EC dissolved in 1 litre of water is advised for control of Spodoptera pest in soybean.

4.         In Rajasthan, no contingency plans are required due to good rainfall and sufficient available soil moisture in crops.

5.         In Haryana, rainfall deficiency still (20th September) stands at -37% coming under deficit category. Withdrawl of monsoon in next two days in Haryana is predicted which likely to cause moisture deficit. Interculture and moisture conservation measures are advised for conserving soil moisture.

6.         Maharashtra state as a whole received 951.6 mm of rainfall during the season which is 91.3% of its normal. In Marathwada region, protective irrigation is advised in  standing crops, which are at grain filling stage having moisture stress. In Vidarbha region field preparations and procurement of inputs are to be taken up for sowing of rainfed chickpea in first fortnight of October. In Madhya Maharashtra region, hoeing and weeding in standing crops is advised for conserving soil moisture. In Nasik region, with sufficient rainfall received, farmers are advised to sow early varieties of rabi crops like sorghum, Bengal gram, safflower in shallow red soils.

16

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

 Bulletin No. 16/2012

14th September 2012

Status of Monsoon  and Contingency Crop Planning for

Deficit/Surplus Areas of the Country

 

             During the last one week, widespread rainfall occurred in the rainfall deficit areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat region, Saurashtra & Kutch. The number of deficit districts with more than 50% deficit rainfall has come down to 51 as on 12th September 2012.  As such, in many states, the crop status is good with no major incidence of pests and diseases.  However, the following points are to be noted:

1.         In Gujarat, widespread rainfall during this week has brought down deficit to -27% from -32% in Gujarat region and in Saurashtra region deficit has come down to -37% from the deficit of -49%, last week. In view of the receipt of rainfall for past few days, castor (GCH-2, GCH-4, GCH-5 and GCH-7) and sorghum (GFS-4 and GFS-5) are recommended to be sown as contingent crops in North Gujarat; maize (African top), sorghum (Gundari), chickpea (GG-2), seasame (Purva-1), castor (GCH-4 and GCH-7) are recommended to be sown in South Gujarat and Saurashtra region.

2.         In Karnataka, there has been a good progress in the sowing in north and south Karnataka.  In the unsown areas’ maize (Deccan-103 and South African maize) can be sown within few days for fodder purpose. Sowing of minor millets like fox tail millet, little millet, cow pea (TVX-944, KBC-1 and KBC-2), field bean (HA-3 and HA-4) can be sown immediately. Horsegram (KBH-1 and PHG-9) can be sown up to 30th September. In north Karnataka, in areas remained unsown during kharif only moisture conservation practices like compartmental bunding are recommended to keep the area for rabi sowing. Fodder sorghum and fodder maize can be taken up to avoid fodder scarcity. Intercultivation and removal of excess seedlings are recommended to conserve soil moisture in already sown crops. Farmers are advised to keep land and inputs ready for sowing of rabi crops like chickpea, safflower and wheat.

3.         In western Rajasthan, in areas where kharif crops are not sown, early rabi crops like toria, taramira/chickpea are recommended in late September.  Farmers are advised to drain out excess water in standing crops in eastern and southern parts of Rajasthan.

4.         In Punjab widespread moderate rainfall was received during the last week.

5.         In Haryana, though scattered rainfall occurred in the state, still rainfall deficit is    -42%. Foliar application of 2% urea with 0.5% Zinc Sulphate is advised for good growth of standing crops. Interculture and moisture conservation measures are advised for conserving soil moisture.

6.         Maharashtra state as a whole received 934.0 mm of rainfall during the season which is 94% of its normal. In Marathwada region, widespread rainfall occurred during the last week and rainfall has improved condition of standing crops and reduced fodder problem in this region. Farmers are advised to drain out excess water from standing crops and in  late sown cotton and pigeon pea crops intercultural operations are recommended for conserving soil moisture.

            All the districts of Madhya Maharashtra received 50 to 75 mm rainfall during the last week. In view of receipt of sufficient rainfall farmers are advised to sow rabi crops like sorghum (Phule uttara, Phule panchami, Parbhani moti, CSV-22, M-35-1) in Solapur region. In Nasik region early varieties of rabi crops like sorghum (CSH-15R, CSH-18, Phule vasudha, Phule yashoda, Phule Mauli), Bengal gram (Vishal, vijay, digvijay), safflower (DSH-129, Bhima, Phule kusuma) are advised to be sown in shallow red soils. In deep black soils of Pune region, sowing of rabi crops like safflower (DSH-129, SSF-658, SSF-708), sorghum (CSH-15R, CSH-18, phule vasudha, phule yashoda, phule mauli), Bengal gram (vishal, PKV-2, PKV-4) is advised. In Vidarbha region, immediate measures to be taken to drain out water logging in field crops and orchards.


15

 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

 Bulletin No. 15/2012

7th September 2012

Status of Monsoon  and Contingency Crop Planning for

Deficit/Surplus Areas of the Country


            During the last one week, very good rainfall has occurred in all the deficit areas of the country, viz., North Gujarat, Saurashtra, Punjab, Haryana  and Karnataka.  The number of deficit with more than 50% deficit rainfall have come down to 55 as on 5th September 2012.  As such, in many states, the crop status is good with no major incidence of pests and diseases.  However, the following points are to be noted:

1.         In Gujarat, no kharif sowings is recommended at this stage in the unsown areas.  Porbandar and Kutch districts have remained deficit and large areas have not been sown. Only fodder crops like giant sorghum and bajra are recommended. In the Central Gujarat, transplanting of tobacco and vegetables is recommended in view of favourable weather. 

2.         In Karnataka, there has been a good progress in the sowing in north and south Karnataka.  Fertilizer application, weeding and interculture are recommended in all rainfed crops.  In finger millet growing areas of south Karnataka, gap filling may be down by transplanting in areas with sparce plant population. If still there are some unsown areas, minor millets like foxtail millet and little millet can be sown upto 15th September and horsegram upto 30th September.  In north Karnataka, in areas remained unsown during kharif only moisture conservation practices like compartmental bunding are recommended to keep the area for rabi sowing.

3.         In western Rajasthan, in areas where kharif crops are not sown, early rabi crops like toria, taramira/chickpea are recommended in late September.  

4.         In Telangana and western Madhya Pradesh, cotton and soybean crops have been damaged in some areas due to heavy rains due to water logging.  Farmers are advised to drain out the excess water to relieve the yellowing symptom.  Pests like spodoptera are seen on cotton due to continuous humid weather and farmers are advised to remain alert for need based control methods.

5.         In  Punjab and Haryana, most districts have received scattered rains during the week cutting down the water requirement, however, Ferozpur and Fatehgadhsaheb remained highly deficient.  Water saving practices are to be followed in paddy.

14

Bulletin No.14/2012

August 31, 2012

 

 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/access areas of the country

During the last one week, moderate to heavy rainfall occurred in several parts of the country, particularly, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rayalaseema and North and South Karnataka.  Even in the severe deficit state of Gujarat, scattered rains in several districts across Saurastra caused relief to the standing crops.  In Punjab and Haryana, well distributed rainfall across most districts lowered the temperature and reduced the water demand for paddy crop while provided a relief to the rainfed crops like millets and pulses.  The overall deficit in the country has come down to -12%.

  • In Gujarat, recent rains have revived crops like cotton, castor and pulses in north Gujarat and Saurastra. Where adequate rains are received, top dressing of recommended fertilzers are to be carried out.  In the unsown areas, with the available moisture, fodder crops like bajra and sorghum need to be sown to augment green fodder availability.

  • In the entire Karnataka, wide spread and well distributed rains have revived the standing crops.  Top dressing and weeding are recommended immediately.  In south Karnataka, short duration finger millet can still be sown upto end of August.

  • In coastal Andhra Pradesh, lack of inflows into the Krishna river has led to more than 5.00 lakh of paddy area remain fallow as transplantation could not be taken up.  Sesbania green manuring is recommended in these areas to improve the soil fertility before taking up the rabi crop.

  • Rains have revived the standing crops in most parts of Maharashtra. Top dressing and weeding will improve the crop growth particularly under rainfed conditions.

  • In most eastern and central parts of the country, the rainfall has been adequate and well distributed and the normal recommended practices for the respective crops are to be followed.

 

*****


13

Bulletin No.13/2012

August 23, 2012

 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/excess areas of the country

During the last one week good rainfall occurred in East Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Vidharbha, Chattisgarh, Punjab on Haryana.  The drought situation in Haryana and Punjab eased bringing the rainfall deficiency from -67% to -56% in Haryana and -63% to -58% in Punjab. In East Rajasthan,  heavy rainfall caused flooding damaging standing crops.  Still Saurashtra & Kutch is under scanty rainfall (-82%).  Stress conditions are again occurring in Marathwada due to prolonged dry spell.

Rajasthan

Heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm occurred in 1-2 days in most parts of Eastern Rajasthan causing floods in Jaipur, Ajmer, Sikar, Sawai-Modopur and Jhun Jhunu.

  • In the eastern part of the state, farmers are advised to drain out excess water in standing crops.
  • In South Rajasthan top dressing of urea in maize and sorghum is recommended to take advantage of the abundant moisture available.

Marathwada

Despite good start of the season, Marathwada is now experiencing moderate drought conditons.  This region is mainly rainfed with cotton, soybean and sorghum as main crops. 

  • Only moisture conservation practices like mulching, intercultural and weeding are recommended to conserve the available moisture.
  • Farmers are advising to go for protective irrigation in standing kharif crops  whenever feasible.

Gujarat

The rainfall situation in Gujarat state as a whole has not changed much and Saurashtra & Kutch is still experiencing severe drought situation with scanty rainfall of -82%.    In this region sowing window for most crops is over and farmers are advised to go for fodder crops whenever rainfall revives.

12

Bulletin No.12/2012

August 17, 2012

 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/excess areas of the country

During the last three days entire Rajasthan state received heavy rainfall.  North Gujarat and parts of Punjab have also received scattered rains giving relief to the standing crops, reducing water demand and lowering the temperatures.  Under these conditions contingency plan for deficit/excess regions is provided below:

Rajasthan

During last two three days the entire state received moderate to heavy rains, the recent rains have substantially reduced the rainfall deficit of west Rajasthan from -49% (two days before) to -29% (as on 16th August) and in east Rajasthan the seasonal rainfall has become normal (-7%).

  • In southeastern part of the state due to very heavy rainfall in some districts the crops are inundated.  Farmers are advised to drain out excess water in standing maize, sorghum, pulses, soybean immediately. Drainage is very important for pulses and soybean as they are susceptible to water logging.
  • In South Rajasthan top dressing of urea in maize and sorghum crops is recommended to take advantage of the abundant moisture available.
  • In West Rajasthan, where kharif crops have not been sown with the recent rains, farmers are advised to keep the land fallow and conserve the moisture to take up the early rabi crops like Toria/Taramira/mustard/chickpea depending on the soil type. 

Karnataka

From 1st June to 16th August 2012, state as a whole received 415 mm rainfall against the normal of 593 mm with a deficit of -30%.  Though scattered rains have occurred, the drought situation still persists both in South and North Karnataka with deficits of 32 and 29% respectively. 

North interior Karnataka

  • In North Karnataka Desi cotton (Herbacium) as sole or intercropping with onion + chilli, maize, sunflower (Seed hardening – soaking in calcium chloride (30 gm in 1.5 lit water to treat one kg of seed) solution for 6 hrs before sowing, wider row spacing 120-135 cm), horsegram, moth bean and cowpea can be taken up to end of August.

  • In place of other kharif grain crops, fodder maize, cowpea and horsegram are advised to be sown in light soils for fodder up to 31st August.     

  • Interculture, mulching and weeding operations are advised in standing crops.

  • Making of compartmental bunds in vertisols which are currently under fallow, so that adequate moisture is conserved for the rabi crops.

South interior Karnataka

  • In unsown areas, sowing of short duration finger millet varieties (Indaf-5, Indaf-9, GPU-28 ad GPU-48) can be taken up up to 20th August. However, transplanting of finger millet is recommended up to 15th September.

  • Sowing of minor millets like fox tail millet and little millet can be taken up to end of August and cowpea (TVX-994, KBC-1 and KBC-2) and field bean (HA-3 and HA-4) are recommended to be sown from first week of September to end of September.

  • Maize (Deccan 103) and fodder maize (South African) and sunflower (Morden, BSH-1) are recommended in all the traditional groundnut growing areas till 20th August.

  • In tank fed areas, aerobic rice cultivars (MAS-946-1, Rasi and KRH-2) may be sown whenever the tanks are completely full and medium duration redgram varieties (BRG-2) can be cultivated for vegetable purpose.

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra state as a whole received 629 mm of rainfall from 1st June to 16th August. As on 13th August sowing was completed in 128.63 lakh ha amounting to 97% of the normal crop area.

Madhya Maharashtra

  • In medium deep to deep black soils of Solapur region, sowing of sole crops like sunflower (Bhanu, Phule, Raviraj), castor, horsegram, pearl millet (shradha, Saburi, Shanti) can be sown upto 20th August.

  • To meet the fodder shortage, farmers are advised to sow giant bajra or sorghum (Phule ruchira, Phule amrutha) in light soils upto end of August.

  • In shallow black/red soils of Sangli region pearl millet (Shanti, Shradha, Saburi) and in deep black soils, sole crop of sunflower (Bhanu, SS-56) are suggested up to 20th August.

  • In Kolhapur region in medium deep black soils sowing of fodder maize (African tall, Panchganga, Gangasafed-2, Vijay, Local) are recommended up to 20th August.

  • In Nasik region, farmers are advised to sow pearl millet (Shanti, Shradha, Saburi) in shallow red soils and in medium red / black soils maize (Karveer, Rajasri) are to be sown on ridges and furrows till 20th August.

Marathwada: 

During the last two to three days there is no rainfall and the crops are under moderate stress. Only moisture conservation practices like mulching, intercultural and weeding are recommended to conserve the available moisture. Farmers are advising to go for protective irrigation in standing kharif crops to overcome soil moisture stress in some parts of the region.

Gujarat

For past four-five days occurrence of rainfall in Gujarat has changed drought situation most of the districts of Gujarat except Saurashtra & Kutch region. Saurashtra & Kutch is experiencing severe drought situation with scanty rainfall of -81%. The crop sown area has increased very much in Gujarat due to rainfall during the past four to five days. As on 16th August nearly 69% of the total cultivable area was covered under different crops.  

  • The rainfall in Gujarat region of the state has helped standing crops like pearl millet, sorghum, cluster bean, pulses, sesame, maize and cotton in all the districts. 
  • In Saurashtra & Kutch region, only around 50% of the area has been sown in different districts.  Highest deficit rainfall is in Junagadh, Porbandar and Jamnagar.  Most of the kharif crops other than Bt cotton have dried up.  Farmers are able to provide life saving irrigation Bt cotton in most places from ground water.
  • The area is under huge shortage of green fodder.  If rainfall revives now, farmers are advised to sow fodder sorghum (Gundari, GFS-4 and GFS-5). 
  • Farmers are advised not to sow groundnut or cotton in this area now.

Punjab 

In Punjab rainfall during the season so far is deficit by 63% as on 16th August. Widespread rainfall received in many parts central Punjab has brought down the rainfall deficit during the season from -68% on 12th August to -63% on 16th August.

  • Under rainfed conditions, sowing of fodder, pearl millet varieties (PHBF-1, PCB-164 and FBC-16) can be taken up to August end.
  • Under irrigated conditions, maize variety J-1006 can be sown up to middle of September.
  • To save irrigation water in standing rice and basmati rice crops, irrigation can be advised two days after complete evaporation of ponded water.
  • In cotton crop, spraying of potassium nitrate (2%) at weekly interval for four weeks starting from flower initiation stage to cope with the stress conditions.
  • In widely spaced crops apply straw mulch @ 5 to 6 tons per ha to save water.

Haryana

            The state has a deficit of -66% as on 16th August. 

  • Skip furrow irrigation for irrigated crops to save water.
  • In pearl millet spraying of 2% urea to relieve stress and in light soils harvest every third row and use it as a fodder.

Other States

The rainfall situation in other states is comparatively normal. However, some districts recorded deficit rainfall and for those districts contingency plans are made available in the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in), ICAR (www.icar.org.in) and CRIDA (www.crida.in). The respective KVKs also may be contacted for needful advice.  For general farm operations to be taken up during this period, the regular agro-advisories issued by all the Agricultural Universities in their websites and other channels may be followed.

Availability of quality seed

For information on this please refer Bulletin No.10 issued by CRIDA on August 10, 2012.

11

Bulletin No.11/2012

August 14, 2012

 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/excess areas of the country

During the last three days good rainfall has occurred in entire Rajasthan, Karnataka, parts of Punjab, North Gujarat and Kerala.  Though scattered rainfall is occurred in Haryana, Punjab and Saurashtra and Kutch continued to remain under severe deficit conditions.  Scattered rains in Karnataka and Maharashtra have also improved the crop situation and sowing progress.  The major feature of the weather in the last three days is the significant improvement in Western Rajasthan and North Gujarat which are the major pulse belts. The rainfall in East Rajasthan in districts like Banaswada and Chhittorgarh is so high in the last three days, it has caused floods inundating the standing crops.  Under this situation, the contingency plan for deficit/excess regions is provided below:

Rajasthan

In the entire State received moderate to heavy rainfall in the last few days which helped in revival of crops in the eastern part and giving opportunity for sowing of rainfed crops, particularly pulses in the Western Rajasthan.

  • In southeastern part of the state due to very heavy rainfall in some districts the crops are inundated.  Farmers are advised to drain out excess water in standing maize, sorghum, pulses, soybean immediately.  Drainage is very important for pulses and soybean as they are susceptible to water logging.
  • In South Rajasthan top dressing of urea in maize and sorghum crops is recommended to take advantage of the abundant moisture available.
  • In Western Rajasthan,  farmers can now take up sowing of short duration varieties of bajra (HHB-67) and moth bean (RMO 40 and 225) and fodder bajra in view of the adequate rains received.

Karnataka

From 1st June to 12th August 2012, state as a whole received 403 mm rainfall against the normal of 563 mm with a deficit of -29%.   However, continuous but scattered rains in the entire Karnataka have improved the situation in the last few days.

  •  In North Karnataka Desi cotton (Herbacium) as sole or intercropping with onion + chilli, maize, sunflower (Seed hardening – soaking in calcium chloride (30 gm in 1.5 lit water to treat one kg of seed) solution for 6 hrs before sowing, wider row spacing 120-135 cm), horsegram, moth bean and cowpea.
  • In view of the recent rainfall farmers can sow fodder maize, cowpea and horsegram can be sown in light soils mostly for fodder purpose to cope with the shortage of green fodder in the region.  
  • Interculture, mulching and weeding in standing crops to conserve moisture
  • Making of compartmental bunds in vertisols which are currently under fallow, so that adequate moisture is conserved for the rabi crops.

 In South Interior Karnataka, continuous scattered rains are occurring in most parts and as on 6th August 64% of the normal crop area has been sown. 

  • In unsown areas, sowing of short duration finger millet varieties (Indaf-5, Indaf-9, GPU-28 ad GPU-48).
  • Maize (Deccan 103) and fodder maize (South African) and sunflower (Morden, BSH-1) are recommended in all the traditional groundnut growing areas till 15th August.
  • In tank fed areas, aerobic rice cultivars (MAS-946-1, Rasi and KRH-2) may be sown whenever the tanks are completely full and medium duration redgram varieties (BRG-2) can be cultivated for vegetable purpose.

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra state as a whole received 620 mm of rainfall from 1st June to 13th August which is 84% of the normal rainfall. As on 6th August sowing was completed in 124.88 lakh ha amounting to 94% of the normal crop area. With good rainfall in the last week in the entire state, the sowing operations have been completed in most of the districts.

Vidharbha:

Timely rainfall and adequate follow-up rains in this region do not warrant any contingency plan.

Madhya Maharashtra:

This region has received good rainfall in the last three days.  The following recommendations are made in different crops/regions:

  • In medium deep to deep black soils of Solapur region, sowing of sole crops like sunflower (Bhanu, Phule, Raviraj), castor, horsegram, pearl millet (shradha, Saburi, Shanti) can be sown upto 20th August.
  • To meet the fodder shortage, farmers are advised to sow giant bajra or sorghum (Phule ruchira, Phule amrutha) in light soils.
  • In shallow black/red soils of Sangli region pearl millet (Shanti, Shradha, Saburi) and in deep black soils, sole crop of sunflower (Bhanu, SS-56) are suggested.
  • In Kolhapur region in medium deep black soils sowing of fodder maize (African tall, Panchganga, Gangasafed-2, Vijay, Local) are recommend.
  • In Nasik region, farmers are advised to sow pearl millet (Shanti, Shradha, Saburi) in shallow red soils and in medium red / black soils maize (Karveer, Rajasri) are to be sown on ridges and furrows.

Marathwada: 

In this region, the initial rainfall was quite good and sowing operations have been completed in most districts.  However, during last week there was no rainfall and the crops are under mild to moderate stress. Only moisture conservation practices like mulching, interculture and weeding are recommended to conserve the available moisture.

Gujarat

In Gujarat region, good rainfall has received in the last two days in North Gujarat, except Kutch.  

  • The rainfall has helped crops like pearlmillet, sorghum, clusterbean, pulses, sesame, maize and cotton in all the districts. 
  • In Kutch district, however, no rainfall has been received and farmers are not been able to sow any crop. 
  • Once rainfall revives, castor, clusterbean and fodder sorghum can be sown in unsown areas of North Gujarat and Kutch.  
  • The tobacco growing farmers of middle Gujarat region are advised to start transplanting of tobacco (GTH-1, A-119, GT-5, 7 and 9) immediately.
  • In Saurashtra and Kutch the rainfall situation is not satisfactory.  The area sown under different crops varies between 40-60%.  Highest deficit rainfall is in Junagadh, Porbandar and Jamnagar.  Most of the kharif crops other than Bt cotton have dried up.  Farmers are able to provide life saving irrigation Bt cotton in most places from ground water. 
  • The area is under huge shortage of green fodder.  If rainfall revives now, farmers are advised to sow fodder sorghum (Gundari, GFS-4 and GFS-5), maize (African tall). 
  • Other crops like castor (GCH-4 and GCH-7) or Til (Purva-1) or Ajwan (Guj, Ajwan-1 & Guj. Ajwan-2) can be sown as soon as rainfall revives. 
  • Farmers are advised not to sow groundnut or cotton in this area now.  

Madhya Pradesh

            In Western Madhya Pradesh, the soybean crop is subjected to water logging due to excess rainfall in some districts of Malwa region.  Farmers who did not adopt ridge furrow method of planting are advised to immediately provide field drainage to drain-out the excess water. 

Haryana

Due to widespread rainfall in last couple of days, rainfall deficiency of the state reduced slightly (-65% from -67%) three days back.

  • With the recent rainfall sowing of pearl millet (HHB-67, HHB-216 and 226) may be completed immediately.
  • Sowing of moong bean (Satya, Asha and Muskan) may be completed with 20% higher seed rate.
  • In the standing cotton crop, farmers are advised to do intercultural operations, skip furrow irrigation followed by straw mulching for conserving soil moisture.
  • In standing crop of bajra apply N through foliar application and harvest every third row for green fodder in deficit areas.

Punjab 

In Punjab rainfall during the season so far is deficit by 68% as on 12th August.

  • Under rainfed conditions, sowing of fodder, pearl millet varieties (PHBF-1, PCB-164 and FBC-16) can be taken up to August end.
  • Under irrigated conditions, maize variety J-1006 can be sown up to middle of September.
  • To save irrigation water in standing rice and basmati rice crops, irrigation can be advised two days after complete evaporation of ponded water.
  • In cotton crop, spraying of potassium nitrate (2%) at weekly interval for four weeks starting from flower initiation stage to cope with the stress conditions.
  • In widely spaced crops apply straw mulch @ 5 to 6 tons per ha to save water.

Other States

The rainfall situation in other states is comparatively normal. However, some districts recorded deficit rainfall and for those districts contingency plans are made available in the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in), ICAR (www.icar.org.in) and CRIDA (www.crida.in). The respective KVKs also may be contacted for needful advice.  For general farm operations to be taken up during this period, the regular agro-advisories issued by all the Agricultural Universities in their websites and other channels may be followed.

Availability of quality seed

For information on this please refer Bulletin No.10 issued by CRIDA on August 10, 2012.

10

Bulletin No.10/2012

August 10, 2012

 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/excess areas of the country

During the last three days monsoon was quite active in South Karnataka, North Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, East Rajasthan and other states in the eastern part of the country.   Good rainfall occurred in the Malnad region of Karnataka and Malabar region of Kerala, Western Madhya Pradesh and East Rajasthan.  On 9th August several districts in Haryana and Western Rajasthan have also received rains adequate for sowing of the rainfed crops.  Scattered rains have also occurred in North Gujarat and Punjab lowering the temperatures and reducing the water demand.  However, Saurashtra and Kutch region largely remained dry.  

Karnataka

From 1st June to 8th August 2012, state as a whole received 362 mm rainfall against the normal of 535 mm with a deficit of -32%. North Karnataka has largely remained dry except scattered rainfall at few locations.  Nearly 60% of the area has been covered in this zone.

  • In this zone as soon as adequate sowing rains are received, the following contingent crops are suggested.

       Desi cotton (Herbacium) as sole or intercropping with onion + chilli, maize, sunflower (Seed hardening – soaking in calcium chloride solution for 6 hrs before sowing, wider row spacing 120-135 cm), horsegram, moth bean, tobacco or cowpea.

  • Till 15th August, fodder maize, cowpea and horsegram can be sown in light soils mostly for fodder purpose to cope with the shortage of green fodder in the region.  
  • Interculture, mulching and weeding in standing crops to conserve moisture
  • Making of compartmental bunds in vertisols which are currently under fallow, so that adequate moisture is conserved for the rabi crops. 

Many places of South interior Karnataka particularly Malnad region received good rainfall during the last three days bringing the deficit from -42 to -33%.  The major finger millet growing districts like Hassan, Bangalore rural, Haveri have received good rains.  However, Chamrajnagar, Mandya, Tumkur and Gadag still remain under deficit.  In this region, the sowing of finger millet is in progress wherever good rainfall has received. The recommendations are:

  • Immediate sowing of short duration finger millet varieties (Indaf-5, Indaf-9, GPU-28 ad GPU-48).
  • Maize (Deccan 103) and fodder maize (South African) and sunflower (Morden, BSH-1) are recommended in all the traditional groundnut growing areas.
  • In tank fed areas, aerobic rice cultivars (MAS-946-1, Rasi and KRH-2) may be sown whenever the tanks are completely full and medium duration redgram varieties (BRG-2) can be cultivated for vegetable purpose till 15th August.

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra state as a whole received 588 mm of rainfall from 01st June to 09th August which is 84% of the normal rainfall. With good rainfall in the last week in the entire state, the sowing operations have been completed in most of the districts.  

Vidharbha: 

Timely rainfall and adequate follow-up rains in this region do not warrant any contingency plan.

Madhya Maharashtra: 

This region have received good rainfall in the last one week.  The following recommendations are made in different crops/regions:

  • In medium deep to deep black soils of Solapur region, sowing of sole crops like sunflower (Bhanu, Phule, Raviraj), castor, horsegram, pearl millet (shradha, Saburi, Shanti) can be sown with the recent rainfall of sufficient quantity are received.
  • If less than 45 days old seedling of pigeonpea are available, farmers are advised to transplant pigeonpea as a sole crop or as intercrop with sunflower + pigeonpea (2:1) or mixed crop of castor + ridge gourd.
  • To meet the fodder shortage farmers are advised to sow giant bajra or sorghum (Phule ruchira, Phule amrutha) in light soils.
  • In shallow black/red soils of Sangli region pearl millet (Shanti, Shradha, Saburi) and in deep black soils either sole crop of sunflower (Bhanu, SS-56) or sunflower + pigeonpea (Vipula or BDN-708) in 2:1 ratio are suggested.
  • In Kolhapur region in medium deep black soils sowing of fodder maize (African tall, Panchganga, Gangasafed-2, Vijay, Local) are recommend.

Marathwada: 

In this region, the initial rainfall was quite good and sowing operations have been completed in most districts.  However, during last week there was no rainfall and the crops are under mild to moderate stress.  Only moisture conservation practices like mulching, interculture and weeding are recommended to conserve the available moisture.  In the unsown areas, sowing of sole crops like pigeonpea, hybrid bajra, sunflower, castor and seseme and intercrops viz., castor + pigeonpea, castor + coriander etc., can be taken up once the rainfall revives.

Rajasthan: 

The entire State received scattered rainfall in the last few days which helped in revival of crops in the eastern part and giving opportunity for sowing of rainfed crops in the Western Rajasthan.  In Eastern part ridging is recommended in standing maize crops along with weeding and interculture to conserve the available moisture.  Wherever adequate rainfall has been received top dressing of N fertilizer may be done now.  In Western Rajasthan, short duration varieties of bajra (HHB-67) upto 15th August and mothbean and fodder bajra thereafter are recommended in view of the sowing rains received on 9th August. 

Gujarat: 

In north Gujarat scattered rainfall has occurred providing relief to the standing crops of cotton, pearl millet and pulses.  In this region, only castorbean is now recommended in the unsown areas when the rainfall revives.  In the Saurashtra and Kutch the rainfall situation is not satisfactory.  Groundnut and pearl millet cannot be sown now and in their place castor (GAUCH-1, GCH-4 and GCH-7) and fodder sorghum (GFS-4, S-1049 and Gundari) may be taken up 15th August. 

  • In standing crops weeding and interculturing operations are recommended to save moisture.

Haryana: 

Parts of Haryana have received scattered rainfall on 9th.  However, most of the other districts still remain dry.  The following recommendations are made in the current situation:

  • With the recent rainfall sowing of pearl millet (HHB-67, HHB-216 and 226) may be completed immediately.
  • Sowing of moong bean (Satya, Asha and Muskan) may be completed with 20% higher seed rate.
  • In the standing cotton crop, farmers are advised to do intercultural operations, furrow irrigation followed by straw mulching for conserving soil moisture.
  • Keep the paddy fields wet instead of flooded and in sugarcane life saving irrigation with drip / furrow is advised.

Punjab: 

In Punjab rainfall during the season so far is deficit by 68% as on 9th August.

  • Under rainfed conditions, sowing of fodder, pearl millet varieties (PHBF-1, PCB-164 and FBC-16) can be taken up to August end.
  • Under irrigated conditions, maize variety J-1006 can be sown up to middle of September.
  • To save irrigation water in standing rice and basmati rice crops, irrigation can be advised two days after complete evaporation of ponded water.
  • In cotton crop, spraying of potassium nitrate under water deficient conditions starting at flower initiation stage is advised.

Kerala: 

The Malabar region of North Kerala received copious rainfall providing relief to the plantation crops.  However, the southern region still remain deficit and in these regions moisture conservation practices like basin mulching are recommended in plantation crops and water saving practices in paddy. 

Other States

The rainfall situation in other states is comparatively normal. However, some districts recorded deficit rainfall and for those districts contingency plans are made available in the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in), ICAR (www.icar.org.in) and CRIDA (www.crida.in). The respective KVKs also may be contacted for needful advice.  For general farm operations to be taken up during this period, the regular agro-advisories issued by all the Agricultural Universities in their websites and other channels may be followed.

Availability of quality seeds

 

tabs The latest information on the seed availability is give in the following table


9

Bulletin No.9/2012

August 7, 2012

 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/excess areas of the country

During the last four days monsoon, was active with heavy rains occurring in Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, East Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. There is a steady improvement in the rainfall situation in Madhya Maharashtra easing the drought situation on standing crops.  All regions of Karnataka are also receiving scattered and isolated rainfall which is providing lifesaving moisture for the standing crops.  Uttarkhand and Jammu & Kashmir have also received good rains in the last 24 hrs.

However, the entire North-West comprising of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab continued to remain under prolonged drought affecting the standing crops and delaying the planting in the uncovered area.  Considering the above situation, the following contingency plan is suggested for different deficit regions. 

Karnataka

From 1st June to 6th August 2012, state as a whole received 334 mm rainfall against the normal of 522 mm with a deficit of -35.7%.  North Karnataka has received better rainfall while most districts in South are under prolonged drought. Gadag, Dharwad, Bellary and Koppal are the worst affected districts in the north and central part.  More than 60% of the area has been covered in this zone. 

  • In all the areas/districts where adequate rains have been received, bajra, maize and sunflower may be sown at wide spacing (120-135 cm) after seed hardening (soaking in calcium chloride solution before sowing).
  • Horse gram, moth bean, cowpea and vegetable crops like onion, cucumber and ridge gourd can also be sown in traditional areas.
  • In view of insufficient moisture in the soil, only 50% of the recommended chemical fertilizers are to be applied at the time of sowing.

 South interior Karnataka has received less rainfall and several districts are under prolonged dry spell.   The worst affected are: Hassan, Tumkur, Chamrajnagar, Haveri and Belgaum etc.

  • In this region, only 9.40 lakh ha of area was sown against the normal sown area of 14.24 lakh ha.
  • During August, short duration finger millet varieties (Indaf-5, Indaf-9 and GPU-28) may be sown as soon as rainfall revives.
  • Fodder maize (Deccan 103) and sunflower (Morden, BSH-1) are recommended in all the traditional groundnut growing areas.
  • In tank fed areas, aerobic rice cultivars (MAS-946-1, Rasi and KRH-2) may be sown whenever the tanks are completely full and medium duration red gram varieties (BRG-1, BRG-2) can be cultivated for vegetable purpose, if adequate rainfall is received.

Maharashtra

The drought condition in Maharashtra has considerably eased during the last four days particularly in Madhya Maharashtra.  However, Marathwada region is now experiencing dry spell but the standing crops are in good condition due to better soil depth in the region.  The crop condition in Vidarbha is excellent.

Vidarbha

  • In areas not sown so far, sole crops like pearl millet (PKV Raj, Shradha, Saburi), sesame (AKT-64), castor (AKC-1, GCH-4, 5, 6 and DCH-117) and pigeonpea (AKT-8811, Vipula, PKV Tara and BSMR-736) can be till 15th August.
  • The intercropping of pearl millet + pigeonpea (2:1 or 4:2) can be taken up till 15th August.
  • In standing crops undertake intercultural / weeding and top dressing of N fertilizer, wherever necessary.

Madhya Maharashtra

  •  In medium deep to deep black soils of Solapur region, sowing of sole crops like sunflower (Bhanu, Phule, Raviraj), castor, horsegram, pearl millet (shradha, Saburi, Shanti) can be sown if immediate rains of sufficient quantity are received.
  • In this region, if less than 45 days old seedling of pigeonpea are available, farmers are advised to transplant pigeonpea as a sole crop or as intercrop with sunflower + pigeonpea (2:1) or mixed crop of castor + ridge gourd. Farmers are further advised to sow giant bajra or sorghum (Phule ruchira, Phule amrutha) as fodder crops.
  • In shallow black / red soils of Sangli region pearl millet (Shanti, Shradha, Saburi) and in deep black soils either sole crop of sunflower (Bhanu, SS-56) or sunflower + pigeonpea (Vipula or BDN-708) in 2:1 ratio are suggested.
  • In Kolhapur region of Madhya Maharashtra, in medium deep black soils sowing of fodder maize (African tall, Panchganga, Gangasafed-2, Vijay, Local) are recommend for sowing.

Marathwada

  • In standing crops interculture, weeding and hoeing operations are to be taken up to conserve moisture.  Top dressing is recommended only where there is a sufficient moisture.
  • In the unsown areas of the region, sowing of sole crops like pigeonpea, hybrid bajra, sunflower, castor and seseme and intercrops viz., castor + pigeonpea, castor + coriander etc., can be taken up once the rainfall revives.

Rajasthan

The state as a whole received about 51% deficit rainfall till date. The western Rajasthan and eastern Rajasthan received deficit rainfall of -69% and -42%, respectively till date. Last week few parts of eastern Rajasthan received moderate to heavy rainfall while southeastern and western parts of Rajasthan experienced dry weather.

  • In the areas with light or inadequate rainfall, hoeing and weeding operations and using weeds as mulch should be done to conserve soil moisture.
  • If the maize crop is of around 20-25 days old, ridging in crop is recommended.
  • In standing maize and sorghum crops experiencing inadequate soil moisture due to long dry spells in south Rajasthan spray of 1000 ppm thiourea or 5% kaolin to maize and sorghum crops is suggested.
  • In western and eastern parts of Rajasthan, farmers are advised to sow short duration varieties of bajra (HHB-67), moth (RMO-40, RMO-225) and fodder crop (bajra) if rainfall occurs up to 15th August.

Gujarat

The state as a whole is under severe drought condition and only 62% of the area was sown.  In North Gujarat, Patan and Kutch districts are the worst affected.  In this region, the normal crops of pearlmillet and pulses can not be sown now and only castor is recommended.  In Saurashtra and Kutch, immediate weeding and interculture operations are recommended in standing crops to save moisture.  Mulching with available biomass can save the standing cotton crop.  Need based live saving irrigation where possible. In Saurashtra region, sowing of groundnut and pearl millet may be avoided. Instead greengram (GM-4, K-851), sesame (Purva-1, GT-3 and GT-4), castor (GAUCH-1, GCH-4 and GCH-7) and fodder sorghum (GFS-4, S-1049 and Gundari) may be taken up 15th August.

Haryana

In Haryana, scanty rainfall conditions (-73%) are still prevailing.

  • In the standing cotton crop, farmers are advised to do intercultural operations, furrow irrigation followed by straw mulching for conserving soil moisture.
  • After the receipt of sufficient rain, short duration varieties of bajra (HHB-67, HHB-216 and 226) and moong bean (Satya, Asha and Muskan) may be sown up to the end of first week of August.
  • Short duration Basmati rice may be directly seed with 10-15% higher seed rate after seed soaking.

Punjab

In Punjab rainfall during the season so far is deficit by 66%. In the last two days isolated rainfall has occurred in some parts of Punjab.

  • Under rainfed conditions, sowing of fodder, pearl millet varieties (PHBF-1, PCB-164 and FBC-16) can be taken up to August end.
  • Under irrigated conditions, maize variety J-1006 can be sown up to middle of September.
  • To save irrigation water in standing rice and basmati rice crops, irrigation can be advised two days after complete evaporation of ponded water.

Kerala

            For the first time in many years, Kerala has experienced extreme deficit rainfall for June and July with the cumulative deficit reaching -40% by the end of July.  Most of the rice fields are under stress as the southern districts are experiencing more deficit.  Pepper and cardamum crops are likely to be affected due to prevailing drought.  Moisture conservation practices like basin mulching may be adopted to minimize the loss.   The hydro power generation is highly affected in Kerala putting the irrigated area under risk and potential negative impact on rabi crops.

Other States

The rainfall situation in other states is comparatively normal. However, some districts recorded deficit rainfall and for those districts contingency plans are made available in the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in), ICAR (www.icar.org.in) and CRIDA (www.crida.in). The respective KVKs also may be contacted for needful advice.  For general farm operations to be taken up during this period, the regular agro-advisories issued by all the Agricultural Universities in their websites and other channels may be followed.

 

Availability of quality seeds

The availability of quality seed of different varieties recommended for contingency planning is provided below:

8

 Bulletin No.8/2012

 02nd August 2012

 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/excess areas of the country

During the week, monsoon was active with copious rainfall in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, West Uttar Pradesh, Vidharbha, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. During the last two days, rainfall picked up in Madhya Maharashtra improving situation considerably.  Parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir have also received scattered rains.  South Interior Karnataka, entire Gujarat, West Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab are under serious deficit.  Considering this situation, the contingency measures suggested for deficit regions are under:   

Andhra Pradesh

The state received normal rainfall (+3%) and as such no major contingency plan is required here except the following.

  • In areas where the transplanting of rice is delayed and transplanting is planned with over aged seedlings, farmers are advised to increase nitrogen dose by 50% and apply in equal splits (Basal, 20 DAT and PI). Application of Phosphorous, Potassium and Zinc at recommended doses at planting is necessary.

Karnataka

Scattered rainfall occurred during the last week but rainfall is still deficit by 34% over North interior Karnataka.

  • In areas where the rains were received bajra, maize and sunflower may be sown at wider spacing (120-135 cm) after seed hardening (soaking in calcium chloride solution before sowing).
  • Horse gram, cowpea and vegetable crops like onion, cucumber and ridge gourd can also be sown now.

South interior Karnataka is still experiencing a large rainfall deficit of 39% with 63% of area remaining unsown.

  • After receiving sufficient rainfall, short duration finger millet varieties (Indaf-5, Indaf-9 and GPU-28) may be sown.
  • Fodder maize (Deccan 103) and sunflower (Morden, BSH-1) may be sown in place of groundnut.
  • In tank fed areas, aerobic rice cultivars (MAS-946-1, Rasi and KRH-2) may be taken up whenever tanks are filled and medium duration red gram varieties (BRG-1, BRG-2) can be cultivated for vegetable purpose, if adequate rainfall is received.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra state has a whole recorded 83% of the normal rainfall from 01st June to 02nd August.

In Maharashtra, Vidrabha region, received near normal rainfall and no contingency measures are required except for Gondia and Wardha districts.

  • In areas not so far sown, pigeonpea (AKT-8811 and Vipula) can be sown at a closer spacing.
  • Pearl millet (PKV Raj, Shradha), sesame (AKT-64), castor (GCH-4, 5, 6 and DCH-32) can be sown.

In Madhya Maharashtra region, despite widespread rainfall for last three days, the rainfall is still deficit by 26% and large area remains unsown.

  • In medium deep to deep black soils of Solapur region, sowing of sole crops like sunflower (Bhanu, Phule, Raviraj), castor, horsegram, pearl millet (shradha, Saburi, Shanti) can be sown upto 10th August. 
  • Wherever farmers have raised pigeonpea seedlings for transplantation, and the if the seedlings are less than 45 days of age, it is advised to transplant as a sole crop or as intercrop with sunflower + pigeonpea (2:1) or mixed crop of castor + ridge gourd whenever sufficient rainfall occurs.
  •  Farmers are advised to sow giant bajra or sorghum (Phule ruchira, Phule amrutha) as fodder crops.
  • In shallow black / red soils of Sangli region pearl millet (Shanti, Shradha, Saburi) and in deep black soils either sole crop of sunflower (Bhanu, SS-56) or sunflower + pigeonpea (Vipula or BDN-708) in 2:1 ratio are suggested.
  • Alternate dead furrows may be opened up for moisture conservation in already sown crops.

During the past three days, Marathwada region of Maharashtra received low to medium rainfall. In this region sowing of crops was in 16.5 lakh ha out of the total area of 24.99 lakh ha and germination and growth of crops is satisfactory.

  • In the remaining unsown areas of the region, sowing of sole crops like pigeonpea, hybrid bajra, sunflower, castor and seseme and intercrops viz., castor + pigeonpea, castor + coriander etc., can be taken up after receipt of sufficient rainfall.
  • In standing cotton crop (one month old), application of 60 kg nitrogen per ha is recommended. Intercultural operations like weeding and hoeing need to be taken up.

Rajasthan

 Western Rajasthan received 66% deficit rainfall and eastern Rajasthan 36%. In last week moderate rainfall occurred in south eastern parts (Udaipur and Kota), while moderate to heavy rains occurred in southern parts (Chittorgarh, Bilwara, Banswara, Pratapgarh, Udaipur, Rajasamand). Eastern parts (Jaipur and Ajmeer) divisions received light showers and western parts (Jodhpur and Bikaner) divisions remain dry during this week.

  • Farmers in southern and southeastern parts are advised to top dress maize with 50 kg urea per hectare where sufficient rainfall is received and remove extra plants keeping a plant to plant distance of 25 cm.
  • In the areas with light or inadequate rainfall, hoeing and weeding operations and using weeds as mulch should be done to conserve soil moisture.
  • If the maize crop is of around 20-25 days old, ridging in crop is recommended.
  • In standing maize and sorghum crops undergoing prolonged.  Spray of 1000 ppm thiourea or 5% kaolin.
  • In western Rajasthan, farmers are advised to sow short duration varieties of bajra (HHB-67), moth (RMO-40, RMO-225) and fodder crop (bajra) if rainfall occurs up to 15th August.

Gujarat

In Gujarat, out of 18 districts, 8 districts are still experiencing scanty rainfall and 10 districts experiencing deficit rainfall. Saurashtra and Kutch region is the worst drought hit with all the districts experiencing scanty or deficit rainfall and no rainfall occurring in this week also.

  • Farmers are advised to sow cluster bean (HG-75, GG-1 and 2), sesame (Purva-1, Guj, Til 3 & 4) and castor (GCH-2, 4, 5, 7) as soon as rainfall revives.
  • In already sown cotton, farmers are advised to carry out harrowing and earthing up.
  • In standing crops of pigeonpea, pearl millet and maize, interculturing and weeding is advised for conservation of soil moisture. Need based life saving irrigation may be given wherever possible. 
  • In Saurashtra region, sowing of groundnut and pearl millet may be avoided. Instead greengram (GM-4, K-851), sesame (Purva-1, GT-3 and GT-4), castor (GAUCH-1, GCH-4 and GCH-7) and fodder sorghum (GFS-4, S-1049) may be taken up upto 15th August.

Uttar Pradesh

Rainfall over west Uttar Pradesh is deficit by 44% so far.

  • Sowing of millets, pulses (Urd bean, moong bean) and sesame in place of paddy is suggested.
  • In central plain zones, short duration paddy varieties (Type-3, Basmati-370) may be sown under SRI.

West Bengal

Rainfall over West Bengal was so far highly variable as northern parts received excess rainfall and southern parts 25% deficit rainfall. Rainfall at many places is not sufficient for paddy transplantation.

  • In rainfed uplands maize, cowpea, arhar and blackgram may be sown in place of rice.

Haryana

In Haryana, scanty rainfall conditions (-71%) are still prevailing.

  • In the standing cotton crop, furrow irrigation followed by straw mulching is advised.
  • After the receipt of sufficient rain, short duration varieties of bajra (HHB-67, HHB-216 and 226) and moong bean (Satya, Asha and Muskan) may be sown up to first week of August in the rainfed zone.

Tamil Nadu

Rainfall over Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry is so far deficit by 22%.

  • Farmers of Kadalur are advised to sow varagu, samai, cowpea or horsegram in place of maize, pearl millet and groundnut.
  • In Krishnagiri districts, instead of long duration finger millet, short duration finger millet, samai and horsegram are recommended.
  • Farmers are Pudukkottai district are advised to sow maize or castor crops immediately.

Chattisgarh

Majority of the districts received near normal and in few districts rainfall has been in excess leading to inundation.

  • Soybean nodulation may get affected due to water logging conditions and farmers are advised to drain out excess water and top dressed with nitrogen @ 15 to 20 kg/ha.

Punjab

In Punjab rainfall during the season so far is deficit by 70%. In the last two days isolated rainfall has occurred in some parts of Punjab.

  • Under rainfed conditions, sowing of fodder, pearl millet varieties (PHBF-1, PCB-164 and FBC-16) can be taken up to August end.
  • Under irrigated conditions, maize variety J-1006 can be sown up to middle of September.
  • To save irrigation water in standing rice and basmati rice crops, irrigation is advised two days after complete evaporation of ponded water.

Kerala

For the first time in many years, Kerala has experienced extreme deficit rainfall for June and July with the cumulative deficit reaching -40% by the end of July.  Most of the rice fields are under stress as the southern districts are experiencing more deficit.  Pepper and cardamum crops are likely to be affected due to prevailing drought.  Moisture conservation practices like basin mulching may be adopted to minimize the loss.   The hydro power generation is highly affected in Kerala putting the irrigated area under risk and potential negative impact on rabi crops.

Other States

The rainfall situation in other states is comparatively normal. However, some districts recorded deficit rainfall and for those districts contingency plans are made available in the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in), ICAR (www.icar.org.in) and CRIDA (www.crida.in). The respective KVKs also may be contacted for needful advice. Previous editions of this bulletin may be seen in the archieves in CRIDA Website.

tabs Various varieties of quality seed available at different states are given below:



7

Bulletin No.7/2012

27th July 2012

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit areas of the country

During last 2-3 days, good rainfall occurred in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.  Scatttered rains have occurred in north east, Bihar,  West Bengal, Marathwada, Vidharbha, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, etc.  Regions which are under serious deficit conditions are Saurashtra & Kutch, Haryana, Punjab, Western Rajasthan, Madhya Maharashtra and South interior Karnataka.  When we consider the total districts in the country as on 27th July,  94 districts out of 626 have received scanty rainfall and 306 districts are under deficit.  However, the crop sowings have affected in about 150 districts seriously.  The following contingency measures are suggested for each of these deficit states/regions:

Rajasthan

  • The state as a whole received 30% deficit rainfall till date. In eastern Rajasthan maize sowing has been undertaken with rains in July first fortnight.  However, thereafter, there has not been much improvement.   Jhunjunu and Sikar are the worst affected in this region.  In these regions, in the already sown maize/pearl millet/pulse crops only moisture conservation measures through interculture and weeding to conserve the soil moisture are recommended.  In western Rajasthan, the situation is quite grim with five  districts, viz., Jaisalmer, Badmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Nagaur receiving scanty rainfall.  Pearlmillet, clusterbean and moth bean are the major crops in this region.  Upto end of July, short duration varieties of pearlmillet (HHB-67), moth bean (RMO-40, RMO-225), sesame (RT-125, RT-46) , Cluster bean (RGC-936) and fodder bajra are recommended whenever adequate rainfall occurs.  Beyond 31st July, short duration pulses and fodder pearl millet are only possible.  In case of late sowing, increase seed rate by 10-15 per cent in green gram, black gram and sesame.

Gujarat

          Majority districts of Saurashtra & Kutch region received highly deficit to scanty rainfall and reeling under severe drought.  The situation in other parts of Gujarat is also not encouraging.  However, because of more irrigated area, the sowings are completed in about 50% of the area till date.   In central Gujarat, Vadodara, Gandhi nagar, Patan, Broach are the worst affected, while in Saurashtra and Kutch, more than 70% deficit is seen in Amreli, Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Purbandar and Kutch.    Kutch received only 5% of the rainfall so far. 

  • Farmers of Saurashtra & Kutch region are advised to avoid groundnut, cotton and pearl millet sowing now.  Instead green gram (GM-4, K-851), sesame (Purva-1) and fodder sorghum (GFS-4, GFS 5, S-1049) are recommended for rainfed cultivation as soon as adequate rainfall occurs.   Short duration castor hybrids like GCH-8 can be planted upto 31st July. In already sown cotton and groundnut  crops, inter culture operations and weeding to conserve moisture are recommended.  2% thio urea spray helps in stress mitiation.
  •  In districts with shallow soils, pulse crops like Blackgram (cv. Gujarat-1) , greengram (Gujarat-4), sesame (GT-2, GT-3) and fodder jowar can be sown upto 15th August as soon as adequate rainfall occurs.
  • In north Gujarat, clusterbean (HG-75, GG-1) and castor (GCH-2, 4, 5, 7) can be sown upto end of July.
  • The tobacco growing farmers of middle Gujarat are advised to irrigate tobacco nursery twice a day.

Haryana

          Haryana is experiencing 70% rainfall deficit.  All districts except Gurgaon, Ambala, Panchkula and Sirsa are under the scanty category.   In irrigated districts, adopt DSR when rainfall is scanty and weeds to be controlled through weedicides. Intermittent drying in paddy to conserve irrigation water.   In south west part of state, most of the area is rainfed.  Only about, 25% of the area was sown so far.  Bajra, cluster bean and moong are the major rainfed crops.   Till end of July, short duration bajra hybrids (HHB 67, HHB 216 and 226) and clusterbean varieties (HG 365, HG-563 and HG-75) can be sown as soon as rainfall occurs.   In cotton and sugarcane already sown, interculture and weeding operations are to be taken up to conserve soil moisture.

Punjab

            In irrigated districts, practices like timely weed control and intermittent drying will save on water requirement.  However, in rainfed area (Kandi region), the sowing of fodder Pearl millet varieties like PHBF 1, PCB-164 and FBC-16  can be done up to August.  For grain purpose, pearl millet varieties like PHB 2, PCB 164 and PHB 47 can be sown up to last week of July.

Madhya Maharashtra

            In Maharashtra, Vidharbha and Marathwada regions received relatively better rainfall and the crop conditions is also satisfactory.  Regularly scattered rains are occurring in all districts which are keeping the crops alive except Jalna.  Vidharbha region as a whole received near normal rainfall and crop situation is satisfactory. In Madhya Maharashtra, however, large areas remain unsown and the condition of the already sown crops is also poor particularly in Sangli, Pune and Jalgaon.     The following contingency planning is recommended in this region. 

  •  In deep black soils of Solapur sow pigeonpea + coriander (1:2), piegeonpea+Shepu (1:2), pearlmillet+pigeonpea (2:1) . Farmers are advised to pigeonpea + coriander (1:2) in medium to deep black soils.
  • In the standing bajra, blackgram, greengram and cotton interculture operations may be done to conserve soil moisture.
  • In Satara region, Shraddha, Saburi, Shanti varieties of pearlmillet are recommended to sow in shallow grey/black soil; Bhanu, Phule Raviraj varieties of sunflower in medium and deep black soils.
  • In Sangli region farmers can sow intercrops groundnut (JL-286/JL-24)+pigeonpea (Vipula) in shallow lateritic soils; Sunflower (SS-56/Bhanu); . Sunflower (SS-56/Bhanu)+pigeonpea (Vipula/BDN-708) in 2:1 ratio are recommended for sowing.

South Interior Karnataka

South Interior Karnataka is still reeling under 39% rainfall deficit conditions.  The worst affected districts are Hassan, Chamrajnagar, Mandya, Kodagu and Tumkur. 

  • Farmers are advised to sow improved varieties of finger millet (Indaf-Sand 9; GPU-28) up to the end of July. Maize (cv. Deccan-103, NAC-6002 and NAH-2049) and Sunflower (Modern, BSH-1) may be sown in place of groundnut.  In view of the delay, only medium duration varieties (BRG-1 and BRG-2) of redgram for vegetable purpose may be sown upto end of July.
  • In already sown crops, interculture with blade harrow may be carried out and urea (1%) may be sprayed for 2 to 3 times to boost plant growth.

Kerala

          Kerala state this time recorded upto 40% deficit rainfall.  The state mostly grows plantation crops like coconut, rubber, pepper and cardamom.  Pepper and cardamom crops are facing drought conditions which may impact the yields.  Providing life saving irrigation where possible or mulching to conserve soil moisture in basins s recommended.

Other States

      The situation in other states is comparatively normal.  However, there are some districts which recorded deficit rainfall.  For such districts, the district level contingency plans are made available in the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in), ICAR (www.icar.org.in) and CRIDA (www.crida.in). The respective KVKs also may be contacted for needful advice.

6

Bulletin No.6/2012

25th July 2012

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit areas of the country

During last 3-4 days, good rainfall occurred in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, South Rajasthan and Vidharbha.  The regions which are still under deficit rainfall conditions are Saurashtra & Kutch, Haryana, Punjab,  Western Rajasthan and South Interior Karnataka.  There has been some improvement in Madhya Maharashtra due to scattered rains. 

The following contingency measures are suggested for each of these deficit states/regions:

Rajasthan

         The state as a whole received 30% deficit rainfall till date. The situation in eastern Rajasthan is near normal with rapid progress in sowing of maize and other crops although late by week to 10-days.  However, the situation in western Rajasthan is bad with 60% deficit and no signs of improvement. 

  • In Southern Rajasthan, weeding and interculture operations in already sown crops is suggested to conserve moisture. 
    • In Western and Northern Rajasthan, short duration varieties of pearlmilllet (HHB-67) and  moth bean (RMO-40, RMO-225) and sesame (RT-125, RT-46) are recommended upto 31st July whenever adequate rainfall occurs.  Beyond 31st July, short duration pulses and fodder pearl millet are only recommended.  In case of late sowing, increase seed rate by 10-15 per cent in green gram and seasame.

Gujarat

Majority districts of Saurashtra & Kutch region are reeling under drought.  The situation in other parts of  Gujarat is also not encouraging.  However, because of more irrigated area, the sowings are completed in about 50% of the area till date.

  • Farmers of Saurashtra & Kutch region are advised to avoid groundnut, cotton and pearl millet sowing now.  Instead green gram (GM-4, K-851), seasame (Purva-1) and fodder sorghum (GFS-4, GFS 5, S-1049) are recommended for rainfed cultivation as soon as adequate rainfall occurs.   Short duration castor hybrids like GCH-8 can be planted upto 31st July. In already sown cotton and groundnut crops, life saving irrigation may be provided by using ground water.  Interculture operations and weeding to conserve moisture.
  •  In districts with shallow soils, pulse crops like Blackgram (cv. Gujarat-1) , greengram (Gujarat-4), sesame (GT-2, GT-3) and fodder jowar can be sown upto 15th August as soon as adequate rainfall occurs.
  • In north Gujarat, clusterbean (HG-75, GG-1) and castor (GCH-2, 4, 5, 7) can be sown upto end of July.

Haryana

          Haryana  is experiencing 70% rainfall deficit.  In south west part of state, most of the area is rainfed.  Only about, 25% of the area was sown so far.  Bajra, cluster bean and moong are the major rainfed crops.   Till end of July, short duration bajra hybrids (HHB  67, HHB 216 and 226) and clusterbean variety (HG 365) can be sown as soon as rainfall occurs.   In crops already sown, interculture and weeding operations are to be taken up in conserve soil moisture.

Punjab

  • In irrigated districts, normal crop operations are recommended.  However, in rainfed area (Kandi region), the sowing of fodder Pearl millet varieties like PHBF 1, PCB-164 and FBC-16  can be done up to August.  For grain purpose, pearl millet varieties like PHB 2, PCB 164 and PHB 47 can be sown up to last week of July.

Madhya Maharashtra

             In Maharashtra, Vidharbha and Marathwada regions received near normal rainfall and the crop conditions is also satisfactory.  No contingency plan is suggested here.  In Madya Maharasthra, only scattered rainfall was received in few districts.   The following contingency planning is recommended. 

  • Sowing of sunflower, pigeonpea + clusterbean (1:2), sunflower +piegeonpea (2:1) in medium to deep black soils.
  • In the standing bajra, blackgram, greengram and cotton interculture operations may be done to conserve soil moisture.
  • Farmers can sow ICPL-87, BDN-708 and Vipula varieties of piegonpea; Shraddha, Saburi and Shanti varieties of pearlmillet; African tall, Manjri, Kiran and Panchganga varieties of fodder maize whenever adequate rainfall occurs and soil moisture builds up.

South Interior Karnataka

South Interior Karnataka is still reeling under 43% rainfall deficit conditions.

  • Farmers are advised to sow improved varieties of finger millet up to the end of July. Maize (Cv. Nityashri, NAC-6004) and Sunflower (Modern, BSH-1) may be sown in place of groundnut.  In view of the delay, only medium duration varieties (BRG-1 and BRG-2) of redgram may be sown upto end of July.
  • In already sown crops, interculture with blade harrow may be carried out and urea (1%) may be sprayed for 2 to 3 times to boost plant growth.

Kerala

Kerala state this time recorded upto 40% deficit rainfall.  The state mostly grows plantation crops like coconut, rubber, pepper and cardamum.  Pepper and cardamum crops are facing drought conditions which may impact the yields.  Providing life saving irrigation where possible or mulching to conserve soil moisture in basins are recommended.

Other States

      The situation in other states does not warrant any change in cropping pattern.  However, there are some districts which recorded deficit rainfall.  For such districts, the district level contingency plans are made available in the websites of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in), ICAR (www.icar.org.in) and CRIDA (www.crida.in)  The respective KVKs also may be contacted for needful advice.

5

Bulletin No.5/2012

20th July 2012

 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/excess areas of the country

           During this week, monsoon was active in all parts of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Marathwada, parts of Vidharbha, Tamil Nadu and Gangetic West Bengal. Rayalaseema in particular received very good rains.  North Karnataka which is so far reeling under drought also received moderate sowing rains on 17th and 18th  July.  The regions which are still under deficit are Saurashtra and Kutch, Haryana and Punjab, Madhya Maharashtra and South interior Karnataka.  The contingency measures suggested for the deficit regions are as under:

Andhra Pradesh

The entire state received adequate rainfall and as such no contingency measures are required in the state except paddy nurseries are to be protected with ground water where canal water is not released due to poor rains in the catchment area.

Karnataka

Rainfall on 17-18th  July covered almost all districts of northern Karnataka.

  • In all regions with adequate moisture, farmers are advised to sow sesame, maize, sunflower, niger, castor, bajra, redgram, cotton, horsegram, cowpea, groundnut (spreading) and vegetables like onion, cucumber and ridge gourd.  Intercropping systems like Bajra + Groundnut (bunch type) (2:4), Bajra + Redgram (2:1), Maize/Groundnut (bunch) + Redgram (4:2), Kharif sorghum + Redgram (5:1), Redgram + Sesame (1:2 or 2:4), Redgram + Horsegram (2:1) or Chilli + Desi cotton are suggested to avoid losses in case of further rainfall deficits at the end of kharif season.
  • In already sown crops remove weeds and excess seedlings within the row to conserve soil moisture.  
  • In shallow soils with sub-optimum soil moisture, farmers are advised to go for fodder crops like fodder bajra, maize, cowpea and horsegram in place of regular grain crops.

South interior Karnataka is still under deficit rainfall.  Many districts have not received  sowing rains and he rainfall where occurred has been highly scattered. 

  • Finger millet is the main crop in this region.  It has a sowing window upto end of July and even beyond.  No change is suggested in all those regions.
  •  Farmers are advised to sow maize (Nityakshari, NAC-6004) and sunflower (Morden, BSH-1) in place of groundnut upto end of July.
  • In case of redgram, farmers are required to go for medium duration varieties like BRG-1 and BRG-2 in place of regular long duration varieties.

Tamil Nadu

 Tamil Nadu as a whole has received satisfactory rainfall in all the zones.  As such no major contingency is required.  

Maharashtra

 In Maharashtra, Vidrabha and Marathwada regions received adequate rains except in few districts. 

  • As such normal cropping pattern is suggested in the Vidarbha region.  However, in areas where the crops have not still been sown, soybean and pigeonpea are recommended in place of sorghum and cotton.  In pigeonpea reduced spacing of 90x20 is recommended.
  • Madhya Maharashtra is however under deficit rainfall.  In this region sole crops of pigeonpea and pearl millet are to be avoided in view of the delay in onset of rainfall.  Instead pearl millet (Shanti) + pigeon pea (Vipula) in 2:1 ratio in shallow grey soils and soybean (JS-9305, DS-228, JS-335) + pigeon pea (Vipula) in 6:2 ratio in medium deep black soils is suggested.
  • In Marathwada region also few districts did not receive sowing rains.  In such areas whenever adequate rainfall occurs, intercropping systems of cotton + soybean or pearl millet + pigeonpea or soybean + pigeonpea are recommended instead of sole crops till 25th July.

Rajasthan

Eastern Rajasthan received adequate rains in the last one week and in most places the crop sowing is in progress where maize crop has not been planted due to poor rainfall.  Farmers are advised to go for bajra (HHB-67 and RSB-173) up to 20th July.  Other crops like moth (RMO-40 and RMO-225), sesame (RT- 46 and RT-125), green gram (RMG-62 and K-851) and cluster bean (RGC-936) may be sown till the end of the month whenever soil moisture is available.

Gujarat

Saurashtra and Kutch region is under deficit rainfall conditions.

  • Cotton sowing may be avoided now in this region
  • Farmers are advised to sow semi-spreading types of groundnut (GG-2, GG-5 and GG-7) at a spacing of 45 to 60 cm.
  • Castor (GAUCH-1, GCH-6) or fodder sorghum (GFS-4, S-1049) or short duration varieties in greengram (GM-4) and blackgram (Guj, Udid-1, T-9) may be sown up to the third week of July in place of sesame.

Bihar

Moderate and widespread rainfall has occurred during the last week which improved the situation significantly, but there is large variability in it's spatial distribution even within a district.

  • In upland areas, sesame (Krishna) and intercrop of maize (Suwan) and black gram (T-9, Pant U 19, Pant U 31) may be sown in place of paddy.
  • In low land situation, paddy varieties viz., Swarna sub-1, BBT-5204, MTU-7029, MTU-1001and in medium lands Prabhat, MTU-1010, Narendra-97 and Rajendraswetha are recommended.

Haryana

           In Haryana, some areas are under rainfed agriculture where sowing rains are not received yet.  In these areas whenever some rains occur, the following are recommended:

  • Farmers are advised to sow, with adequate soil moisture, short duration varieties of bajra (HHB-67-Improved, HHB-216 and 226) and in guar crop varieties like HG-563 and HG-365.
  • Intercultural operations and weeding may be carried out to conserve soil moisture.

Other States

In Orissa, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam, rainfall is fairly widespread and as such the regular cropping pattern need to be followed except the flood affected districts of Assam for which the contingency plan was already suggested.  Punjab is largely irrigated.

Note : The above is a general overview for the states.  However, ICAR (CRIDA) has prepared district level contingency plans (covering all farming situations within the district), for all states of peninsular India, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.  These plans are placed in the website of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in) and CRIDA.  The details of all crops, short and medium duration varieties to be used in case of delayed onset along with management practices are available in these plans district wise..

4

Bulletin No.4/2012

12th July 2012

 Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit areas of the country          

            During the week ending 12th July 2012, the monsoon was active in central and northern parts of the India.  Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan received heavy rainfall.  Most parts of the Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand have also received good rains.  However, there are some districts in Bihar which received scanty rainfall like Jamui, Buxar, Nawada, Saharsa, Samasthipur, Siwan, Vaishali, Katihar and Durbanga which require implementation of contingency plans.  In the last 24 hours rains have advanced into western Rajasthan. Scattered rainfall is also occurring in Haryana and Punjab.  Good rains also occurred in Gujarat region but Saurashtra and Kutch remain under deficit.  There is also concern due to lack of sufficient rains in Karnataka (except coastal Karnataka) and parts of Maharashtra (Madhya Maharashtra).    Under this situation, the  contingency plans for problem regions are as under:

Andhra Pradesh

The state as a whole received reasonably good rains except Rayalaseema which was covered with sowing rains in the three days.  The sowing window for groundnut in Rayalaseema is still open and as such the state can continue with the normal crop schedules except in Telangana region where kharif sorghum is normally cultivated.  This crop should not be planted now. It should be replaced by pearl millet.  Where irrigation water is not released, paddy nurseries should be raised with ground water.

Karnataka

Both south and north Karnataka are under deficit rainfall.  In north Karnataka most districts are reeling under drought except Bidar, Gulbarga, Belgaum and Bijapur.  In areas where the crop has not been sown, intercropping of pearl millet and groundnut (2:4),  pearlmillet + redgram (2:1), maize + redgram (4:2),  redgram + horsegram (2:1) and chilli + desi cotton are advised upto end of July.    Repeated inter cultivation and removal of excess seedlings are recommended to conserve moisture in crops which are already sown.   In south Karnataka,  the sowing window for finger millet is open upto end of July.    In case of red gram upto end of July medium duration varieties like BRG 1and 2 can be planted.  Groundnut can be planted upto 15th July, beyond which it should be replaced by maize and sunflower. 

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, the rainfall is more or less normal and as such no major contingency plan is required.

Maharashtra

In Vidarbha region, adequate rainfall is received and normal cropping pattern can be adopted.  In Marathwada region, sole crops of sorghum, green gram and black gram are to be avoided after 15th July.  Intercropping of cotton + soybean, pearlmillet + pigeonpea, soybean + pigenpea are recommended under rainfed conditions.  In Madhya Maharashtra, short duration variety of pigeonpea (Vipula) can be planted upto 25th July.  As soon as adequate rains are recieved, sunflower can be planted as contingent crop.  Pearl millet should be avoided in this region beyond 15th July.  Horse gram can be planted upto 15th August. 

Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Recently good rains are received.   Farmers are advised to adopt direct seeding/transplanting of short duration paddy varieties (NDR 97, NDR 80, NDR 118, Susksamart, IR 36, Pant Dhan 12).  Pigeonpea + maize can be planted immediately.

Rajasthan

In eastern Rajasthan widespread rains are received in the last one week.  In view of the delay in onset,  short duration varieties of maize (Pratap Makka -1, PEHM-2 and Mahi Kanchan), groundnut (JL-24, SB-11) and sorghum (CSH-6, CSH-14 and SPV-96) may be sown utilizing the present soil moisture condition.

Gujarat

Gujarat region (Anand, Baroda, Narmada, Ahmedabad and Dahod districts) received good rains and normal cropping pattern can be followed.  In Saurashtra region also rainfall is occurring during last few days and upto 20th July normal recommended cropping pattern (cotton, groundnut in south and bajra, groundnut, sesame and pigeonpea in north) can be followed.

Bihar

Several districts of Bihar have received deficit or scanty rainfall and as a result water is not adequate for paddy transplantation.  Farmers Farmers are advised to avoid transplanting of long duration rice varieties beyond 20th July.   In uplands sesamum (Krishna) and intercrop of maize (Suwan) and black gram (T-9, Pant U 19, Pant U 31) may be sown in place of paddy. In the north west alluvial zone, farmers are advised to undertake sowing of rice nursery, maize and upland pigeon pea and also sorghum and bajra crops for fodder purpose.

Note : The above is a general overview for the states.  However, ICAR (CRIDA) has prepared district level contingency plans (covering all farming situations within the district), for all states of peninsular India, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.  These plans are placed in the website of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in) and CRIDA.  The details of all crops, short and medium duration varieties to be used in case of delayed onset along with management practices are available in these plans district wise.

...

3

Bulletin No.3/2012

04th July 2012

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

 Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit/surplus areas of the country       

The monsoon arrived at Kerala on June 5, five days late and it maintained the delay  of one week to 10 days in all the states covered so far. Kerala, parts of Karnataka Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand have received reasonably good rains permitting sowing operations. In all these states the sowings are in progress and no major change in cropping pattern are suggested at this stage. Few parts of Bihar have also received rains but not adequate for taking up sowings in full swing. However, the monsoon is in excess causing floods in Assam. Contingency plans need to be implemented here immediately. During the last two days the monsoon has revived and covered states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Under these conditions the contingency planning suggested for different states are as follows:

Assam:

  • Assam received very high rainfall in many districts causing floods
  • Out of total 27 districts, more than 22 districts have been affected by Brahmaputra flood
  • Barpeta, Dhemaji, Jorhat, Golaghat, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivsagar, Nagaon, Morigaon, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Nalbari, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Baksa, Sonitpur, Udalguri, Goalpara, Cachar, Kamrup and Karimganj are affected districts.

 The district wise rainfall received in Assam since 1 to 27June 2012 (IMD Data) is presented below:

S. No.

District (Name)

Actual(Mm)

Normal(Mm)

%Dep

Category.

1

Baksa

891.7

636.4

40%

E

2

Barpeta

1097.4

636.4

72%

E

3

Bongaigaon

1242.6

570.1

118%

E

4

Cachar

642.2

483.6

33%

E

5

Chirang

1423.7

570.1

150%

E

6

Darrang

316.0

391.0

-19%

N

7

Dhemaji

337.0

466.8

-28%

D

8

Dhubri

959.1

547.4

75%

E

9

Dibrugarh

421.6

353.2

19%

N

10

Goalpara

736.6

510.4

44%

E

11

Golaghat

273.4

231.4

18%

N

12

Hailakandi

315.1

432.7

-27%

D

13

Jorhat

209.7

256.7

-18%

N

14

Kamrup

480.6

341.0

41%

E

15

Kamrup metro.

394.4

341.0

16%

N

16

Karbi anglong

235.8

206.4

14%

N

17

Karimganj

777.9

595.1

31%

E

18

Kokrajhar

1500.1

738.5

103%

E

19

Lakhimpur

572.2

466.8

23%

E

20

Morigaon

255.6

277.8

-8%

N

21

N. C. Hills

169.6

307.1

-45%

D

22

Nagaon

183.0

261.6

-30%

D

23

Nalbari

897.8

517.9

73%

E

24

Shonitpur

528.5

321.1

65%

E

25

Sibsagar

208.2

226.3

-8%

N

26

Tinsukia

410.4

344.8

19%

N

27

Udalguri

228.0

391.0

-42%

D

  • E-Excess, N-Normal and D-Deficit

Impacts of current floods:

Population of 10,80,114 in 2084 villages of 22 districts was affected by the floods. The flood also affected 319 fishery tanks and damaged 43439.33 ha of cropped area.

Estimated cropped area affected due to floods

District

Number of village affected

No of farm family affected (Nos

Autumn paddy (Ha)

 

Boro paddy

(Ha)

Bao (Ha)

 

Sali Seedling (Ha)

Sali transplanted (Ha)

Jute (Ha)

Pulses

Sugarcane (Ha)

Kharif vegetables

Others (Ha)

 

1

2

3

 

4

5

6

7

 

8

9

10

Sonitpur

567

54361

4290.5

NA

2029.0

12656.3

6000.5

2058.5

NA

1141.5

1717.7

803.00

Dhubri

900

1,38,940

5051

NA

NA

2446.5

NA

10,624

515

NA

2756

2427

Barpeta

NA

1,50,572

8887.5

NA

723

3367

216

4346

NA

NA

4472

NA

Golaghat

109

17015

1548.7

2480.2

 

1902.6

724

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Karimganj

NA

34082

1334

NA

NA

1059

NA

NA

NA

NA

532

NA

(Source: AICRP on Agrometeorology, Jorhat) , NA- not available

Contingency measures for flood affected districts in Assam (Source: District level contingency plans for Assam)

Districts

Suggested contingency measures

Districts where paddy nurseries/crop is damaged like Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat, Barpeta, Dima Hasao, Kamrup, North Lakhimpur, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia

  • Raising of community nursery for late planting  with old seedlings of  the  varieties like Profulla and Gitesh (If more than 50% damaged)          or   nursery raising of  the photo insensitive  short duration variety like Luit  for replanting  (in case of total damage)
  • Wet seeding of sprouted seeds (@75-80 kg/ha) of short to medium duration varieties like Disang, Luit, (100 days) Kapili, Kalong (120 days)
  • Late and staggered planting with the old seedlings (50-60 days old seedlings) of the varieties like Profulla and Gitesh ( (If the field is heavily damaged).
  • Direct seeding with the photo insensitive  short duration variety like Luit
  • Adoption of submergence tolerance varieties like Jalashree and Jalkuwari for repeat flood prone areas
  • In partially affected fields, drain excess water and apply 1/3rd N + 50% K2O as top dressing during the tillering stage

Other states

Andhra Pradesh

In most parts of the state the rains have been received and the normal crops and varieties are to be sown except sorghum which should be replaced with pearl millet after July 1. Paddy nurseries are also in progress. Wherever there is a dry spell, top dressing of nitrogen fertilizer need to be postponed till adequate rainfall occurs.

Chattisgarh

Chattisgarh has received reasonably good rainfall for sowing operations to begin. In the state no contingency plan is suggested at this stage. Nursery raising and direct seeding of rice may be taken up with normal recommended varieties. All the rainfed crops like maize, soybean, sesame, pigeonpea, can be sown on uplands upto first week of July with no change in variety or management practices.  

West Bengal

The rainfall in Gangetic West Bengal was deficit but as such no change is suggested in the cropping system. Nursery sowing of Aman rice (IET-4094, 2233, Ratna) are to be taken up wherever adequate rainfall is received.  

Karnataka

Coastal Karnataka received sufficient rains but there is some deficit of rainfall in south and north interior Karnataka. In these two zones, in areas where sufficient rains have occurred, the regular cropping pattern need to be followed. In South interior Karnataka, medium duration pigeonpea varieties instead of long duration ones are suggested. In paddy, nurseries are to be raised with groundwater in tankfed areas so that timely plantation can be done in July with the release of canal water.

            Wherever adequate rainfall is received in north interior Karnataka vegetables, maize, sunflower, bajra and red gram are to be planted with no change in the variety or management practice. Further delay of sowing beyond 15th July requires the land to be kept fallow during kharif wherever double cropping is practiced.

Orissa

The state received near normal rainfall and as such no contingency plan is suggested.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu received most of the rainfall during northeast monsoon, however, some regions also receives southwest monsoon rains. There is a deficit of rainfall in some regions.

  • In areas where the monsoon has been delayed by more than two weeks, short duration and drought resistant varieties of pearl millet (CO 7, COCU 9) or groundnut (VRI 2, VRI 3, TMV 7, TMV (Gn) 13) or sunflower (CO 4, TCSH 1, Morden) or maize (COMH 5) or pluses (VBN 1, 2 and 3) or sesamum (TMV 3, CO 1) or cotton (KC 3) are recommended.
  • Farmers are advised to adopt seed hardening before sowing.
  • In case of cotton, protray nursery technique may be adapted.
  • In case of pulses, foliar spray with 2% DAP is recommended during dry spells.
  • In Cauvery delta zone, short duration rice varieties (ADT 36, 37, 43 and 48) are recommended under SRI method.

Maharashtra

  • Vidharbha received reasonably good rains in June.
  • Early varieties of cotton (American: AJKH-8828, PKV Rajat, AKH-081, Deshi cotton: AKA-5, AKA-7, AKA-8) may be sown with 20% increased seed rate and reduced intra row spacing.
  • Greengram and blackgram may be sown as intercrops in cotton.
  • In pigeon pea, varieties like AKT 8811, Vipula, PKV-Tara and BSMR-736 may be sown at reduced row spacing of 90x20 instead of 90x30 cm.
  •  In soybean, greengram and blackgram Broad Bed and Furrow system is recommended.
  • Marathwada region received deficit rainfall. However, wherever rains are sufficient to sow the crops, regular crops like cotton, pegionpea, soybean can be sown upto 7 July with no change in variety and management practices. However, green gram and black gram are not to be planted beyond 1 July. 

Bihar

  • Rainfall over the entire state is deficit by 36% and central and northwest parts are badly hit.
  • Farmers are advised to avoid long duration rice varieties. In medium lands varieties like Rajshree, Santosh, Rajendra Suvasini and Rajendra Bhagwati and in low lands varieties like Rajshree, R. Sweta may be planted at closer spacing.
  • In upland areas, pigeon pea varieties viz., Bahar/Narendra Arhar 1/Malviya 13 may be sown.

Gujarat

  • Rainfall in the state was highly deficient, however, good rains have received during the last 24 hours.
  • Farmers are advised not to sow groundnut or any other long duration crops now. In some areas if monsoon rains are delayed beyond 15 July only clusterbean, sesamum and greengram are recommended.

Rajasthan

  • Rainfall over the entire state is scanty with a deficit of 72%. However, rains are expected in the next one week.
  • Upto 1 July short duration varieties of maize (Pratap Makka -3, PEHM-2), soybean (NRC-37, JS-93-05), groundnut (JL-24, SB-11) and sorghum (CSH-6, CSH-14 and SPV-96) are recommended.
  • If rain gets delayed by two weeks (beyond 15 July) sowing of maize and sorghum may be avoided and in those areas pulses, sesame and clusterbean may be planted.

Eastern Uttar Pradesh

In this area the South-West monsoon is delayed by 2-3 weeks. The following contingency plans are suggested:

  • Direct seeding/transplanting of short duration varieties of paddy such as NDR-97, NDR-80, NDR-118, Susksamart, IR-36, Pant Dhan-12 etc.
  • Staggered sowing of paddy for raising nursery at 15 days interval.
  • Direct seeding of paddy under low lying areas by improved varieties such as Jalnidhi, Jalpriya, Jallahri, Jalmagn etc.
  •  Spreading of thin layers of straw/ dry grasses in nursery of paddy.
  • In case delay of monsoon till 15th July, medium duration varieties of paddy such as Sarjoo-52, NDR-359, Pant-4 and Pant-10 should be transplanted.
  • As to increase the tolerance from drought foliar spray pf mixture of 2.5 kg Urea + 2.5 kg Potash should be applied in paddy nursery/transplanted paddy. 

Note: The above is a general overview for the states.  However, ICAR (CRIDA) has prepared district level contingency plans (covering all farming situations within the district), for all states of peninsular India, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.  These plans are placed in the website of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in) and CRIDA.  The details of all crops, short and medium duration varieties to be used in case of delayed onset along with management practices are available in these plans district wise.

...

2

Bulletin No.2/2012

28th June 2012

 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit areas of the country          

The onset of SW monsoon 2012 over Kerala was delayed by five days and within a week it covered entire Kerala, coastal Karnataka, Goa, parts of Konkan and north eastern states.  Later the activity of monsoon became subdued and it covered southern peninsula, Maharashtra, parts of Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal with a one week delay compared to the normal onset days. During the third week of June the monsoon covered entire Chattisgarh, Bihar, parts of Madhya Pradesh and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The activity of monsoon during the first three weeks of June is below normal in most of the meteorological subdivisions except coastal Karnataka, Telangana, Chattisgarh, Vidharbha, Konkan and Goa, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and northeastern region.   During the fourth week of June the monsoon became slightly active over Jharkhand and North interior Karnataka. Under this aberrant weather condition, the contingency plans suggested for different states are described below:

Andhra Pradesh

Rainfall over north coastal districts and parts of Rayalaseema was deficit and scanty over Nellore and Anantapur districts. Normal rainfall was received over some districts of Telangana.  So far in Andhara Pradesh, a total area of 12.09 lakh ha was sown as on 27th June against the normal area of 16.15 lakh ha. No changes in the cropping pattern and varieties are suggested in the state.

  • Sowing of paddy nurseries may be taken up wherever ground water is adequate which may facilitate transplanting in the month of July.
  • In areas where cotton is already sown and seedlings are withering due to break in monsoon, the seedlings may be protected by pot watering and application of fertilizer may be delayed till sufficient soil moisture is available from rains.

Karnataka

South interior Karnataka received 17.4 mm rainfall as against 56 mm (69% deficit)

  • Farmers are advised to choose medium duration varieties of red gram in areas where the rains are delayed by more than two weeks.
  • Intercultivation and mulching may be done to the already sown crops.
  • In northern Karnataka farmers are advised not to sow green gram and black gram at present.
  • Farmers are advised to keep the land fallow in area where double cropping (Moong/Sorghum) has been planned, if moong can not be sown by the end of June. No change in contingent crops and varieties are suggested up to 10th July.

Chattisgarh

The rainfall over Bastar plateau and northern hills was below normal and over chattisgarh plains it was above normal.

  • In the areas where excess / normal rainfall is received field preparation followed by sowing of kharif crops (maize, kodo-kutki) may be taken up.

Tamil Nadu

  • No change in the cropping pattern is suggested till 1st week of July.
  • Re-sowing is advocated if the plant stand is very poor  (<80%). Conserve soil moisture by mulching and in situ moisture conservation measures.
  • In Cauvery delta zone, farmers are advised to go for timely nursery rising for paddy crop with ground water and adopt community nursery to enable timely transplanting during Kuruvai season.

Bihar

  • No change in the crops and varieties is recommended till the end of June.
  • In central and north west Bihar where rainfall is scanty, farmers are advised to give protective irrigation to rice nurseries.

Eastern Uttar Pradesh

  • Monsoon is delayed by two weeks in the region.
  • Farmers are advised to sow short duration paddy varieties like NDR-97, NDR-80, NDR-118, IR-36, Pant Dhan-12 and Susksamrat for direct seedling as well as transplanting.
  • Staggered sowing of paddy nurseries at 15 day interval is suggested.

Note : The above is a general overview for the states.  However, ICAR (CRIDA) has prepared district level contingency plans (covering all farming situations within the district), for all states of peninsular India, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.  These plans are placed in the website of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in) and CRIDA.  The details of all crops, short and medium duration varieties to be used in case of delayed onset along with management practices are available in these plans district wise.

...

1

Bulletin No.1/2012

                                                                                                            11th June 2012

 

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad

Status of monsoon and contingency plans for deficit areas of the country

             The SW monsoon hit Kerala on 5th June 2012 delayed by five days.  By 10th June it covered entire Kerala, coastal Karnataka, Goa, parts of Konkan and north eastern states.  However, by 10th June, it is supposed to cover entire southern peninsula, Maharashtra, parts of Orissa, West Bengal and Bihar.   There has been a delay of one week in these regions.  Currently the monsoon is weak and further delay of 2-3 days is expected for it to enter into AP, interior Karnataka and remaining parts of Tamil Nadu.  The rains are also likely to be delayed in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.  Under this situation, the contingency plans for different states is described below:

Andhra Pradesh : 

Rains are already delayed by one week.  Upto end of June,  no change in crops or varieties is recommended in the state for any region.   Farmers are advised to go for timely nurseries in paddy with ground water so that transplanting can be done in time by 15th July.  For rainfed crops like cotton, maize, jowar, castor, groundnut, pigeonpea, green gram, sesame, pearl millet, greengram and blackgram, tillage may be carried out with pre-monsoon showers and land kept ready for sowing.  If the rains are delayed beyond 1st July, sorghum crop is not to be planted.  All other kharif crops can be planted upto 15th July by using short duration varieties which are listed in the district contingency plans and available with the State Department of Agriculture and ANGRAU.

Karnataka :  

Rains are delayed by one week in south interior Karnataka and North Karnataka but expected to pick in next 2-3 days.  Finger millet, groundnut, maize are the  major crops in south Karnataka where as pearl millet,  red gram and green gram are key crops in north Karnataka.  In South interior Karnataka, double cropping of cowpea/green gram-finger millet is common.  Currently, due to dry spell, the cowpea/green gram crops have dried up.  Cowpea may be harvested for green pods or used as a fodder.  Upto 1st July,  in south Karnataka, the same crops and cropping systems will be followed, beyond which, only medium duration finger millet is to be sown.   In north Karnataka, no change in varieties is suggested upto 10th July in case of pearl millet and redgram beyond which medium duration varieties are suggested.  Beyond 25th June, green gram and black gram are not to be planted.    In north transition zone (eg. Dharwad), cotton is the main crop.  If the rains are delayed beyond 1st July, cotton is to be replaced by maize, groundnut + pigeonpea intercropping (4:2).   In Tungabhadra and Krishna command areas, paddy nurseries are to be raised with ground water so that timely transplantation can be done in July after release of canal water.

Kerala  : 

Rains are in time and no contingency is suggested.

Tamil Nadu : 

Sorghum, groundnut, green gram , black gram, maize, pearl millet, finger millet and pulses are the major kharif crop in the south-west monsoon receiving regions of the state (Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Perambular, Salem, etc.). Upto 1st week of July, no change is suggested in the above cropping pattern. Monsoon rarely gets delayed beyond this period in Tamil Nadu.  In the Kaveri delta area, paddy nurseries are already in progress  which need to be protected with irrigation so that transplanting can be done timely.

Maharashtra  : 

By 10th June, monsoon should have covered most parts of Maharashtra.  However,  a delay of one week to 10 days is expected in view of the current status of the monsoon progress.  In Marathwada, the major kharif crops are cotton, soybean, sorghum, greengram, blackgram and pigenpea.  Upto 1st July, the same crops and varieties are recommended.  Beyond this period, sorghum, green gram and blackgram need to be replaced by pearl  millet, pigeonpea, cotton, sunflower.  For Vidharbha region, major crops are cotton, soybean, sorghum, pigeonpea and short duration pulses.  Upto two weeks, no change in the crops and varieties suggested.  Beyond 15th July, cotton and soyebean may be replaced with pigeonpea or pearlmillet. In madhya Maharashtra, sugarcane is the major irrigated crop and pearlmillet is the major rainfed crop.  Beyond 1st July, pearlmillet + pigeonpea intercropping is suggested  instead of sole crops.  Konkan region is mostly a horticulture belt and it has already received rains.

            For states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, since the normal date of monsoon is 15th June, we can wait for the progress of the monsoon as updated by IMD before recommending any contingency planning.

Note 1 : The above is a general overview for the states.  However, ICAR (CRIDA) has prepared district level contingency plans (covering all farming situations within the district), for all states of peninsular India, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.  These plans are placed in the website of the Ministry of Agriculture (www.agricoop.nic.in) and CRIDA.  The details of all crops, short and medium duration varieties to be used in case of delayed onset along with management practices are available in these plans district wise. 

Note 2 :  In the recently launched National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), 100 KVKs  and 23 AICRPDA centers are implementing technology demonstrations for variable climate.  Under this program, all the Program Coordinators are alerted to procure seeds of alternative crops and varieties for delayed monsoon onset and take up sowing on farmers fields along with other recommended moisture conservation practices.  During the season, the program of such real time contingency planning will be evaluated and farmers across these districts will be made aware of. 

  ...

Archives

tabs



   
©Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, All Rights Reserved