The monsoon, so far, has remained normal and uneven in the state. As some of the areas have received nearly 50 per cent deficient rain, the kharif crop has not been affected and the Agriculture Department is sure of achieving its target.
“The crop is spread over about 4 lakh hectares and a production target of 8.85 lakh tonnes has been set, which will not only be achieved, but also surpassed if the weather remains conducive,” said Director of Agriculture JC Rana.
“The sowing of maize in 2.95 lakh hectares was delayed by 15 days, which means its maturity will also be delayed by a fortnight, but there has been no damage to the pulses as they are still in infant stage,” he said, adding that the weather was favourable for paddy crop sown in 76,000 hectares.
The target of vegetable production for the year is 14.80 lakh tonnes out of which 60 per cent production is expected to be achieved during the kharif season and 40 per cent is produced in rabi season. He said no major loss was reported to potato crop sown in 14,000 hectares. However, the tomato crop suffered minor damage in some pockets.
The total loss to crops following rain was meagre Rs 12.50 crore while the erosion of agricultural land in parts of Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Shimla and Sirmaur due to flash floods/cloudburst caused losses to the tune of Rs 3.50 crore. The state received average rainfall of 501 mm against normal rainfall of 610.5 mm during the current monsoon from June 1 to August 19, a deficit of 18 per cent, but tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur received 76 and 49 per cent deficient rain and the shortfall in Chamba and Sirmaur districts was 48 and 31 per cent.
Una and Shimla districts received 57 and 19 per cent excess rain while fluctuation in average rain was less than 10 per cent in Solan, Bilaspur, Kullu, Kangra and Mandi districts.
Source - http://www.tribuneindia.com
