The Kolhapur district has received 58% of its average annual rainfall till the first week of August this season. Despite deficit rainfall, the condition of crops remains good owing to intermittent showers in July, said the officials of the agriculture department.
The district received average rainfall of 1,700 mm annually. The talukas situated in the Western Ghats such as Radhanagari, Gaganbavda, Shahuwadi and Chandgad receive more than 3,000 mm rainfall every year. By July-end, almost all areas in the district witness more than 70% of their annual average rainfall. However, even Gaganbavda has not received 50% of its average rainfall.
"The rainfall has been consistent in most of the areas in the last four days, which has helped the crops. Barring soyabean and groundnut, which were a hit this year, 91% sowing of other crops will be completed this week," said Mohan Atole, district agriculture officer.
Atole said sowing of paddy in the western and southern areas have been completed up to 95%, while that of other crops is about 91-93% finished. "The intermittent rainfall may bring pests. Hence, we have asked the farmers to keep using deterrents. We will conduct a review again next week," he added.
Meanwhile, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday held a video conference with all the divisional heads, who presented him an overall picture of the state. In the Pune division, Sangli and Solapur have received minimum rainfall, while Pune and Satara have reached to their annual average target.
The officials said the catchment areas of Radhanagari and Warna dams have been receiving good rainfall. The dams are filled up to more than 80% till Thursday night. Kalammawadi, another major dam in the district, has around 62% water storage, said Vijay Patil, executive engineer of the Kolhapur irrigation division.
Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
