The long dry spell in Jharkhand is worrying both farmers and agriculture scientists who fear crop loss, especially in seven districts, if this weather condition continues for another week. The agriculture department on Thursday convened an 'urgent meeting' of the representatives of farmers' bodies in the state, district agriculture officers and scientists of Birsa Agriculture University to assess the ground situation. The experts at the meeting said the situation was worrying in Dhanbad, Khunti, Garhwa, Palamu, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela, which received less rainfall in August compared to other districts. While average rainfall in the state in July was 400mm, it came down to 238mm in August. Though some of the districts received more than 350mm of rainfall in August the average of seven districts remained below 200mm. Farmers from different districts said crops in the low-lying areas are in a better thanks to the standing water. But the medium and upland crops may suffer in terms of yield as the ground underneath has started developing cracks. Principal secretary agriculture Nitin Madan Kulkarni directed the district agriculture officers to compile the advisory of agriculture experts and circulate them among farmers in form of pamphlets. "Use every medium of communication to disseminate information to the farmers," he said. Jatashankar Choudhary, director-agriculture, said maize was sown earlier and most of the crop have reached ripening stage. "Almost 30% of the maize crop are in silking stage and in absence of rain are likely to suffer in terms of yield but the good news is that majority of the crop is ready for harvest," he said. Agriculture physicist and agro met advisor at Birsa Agriculture University Dr Abdul Wadood, however, brought some hope amid the crisis. He said a strong weather system was noticed over the Bay of Bengal that is likely to cause "good amount of rain in the state later this week". "Though we cannot be very sure about the weather condition, farmers are advised to go for irrigation with whatever water they can arrange in the proximity of fields," he said. Wadood clarified that water mixed with urea and sprinkled through sprinklers can also rejuvenate the crops and prevent losses. "Though there is lack of rain but situation is not grim as the water bodies like pons and well still have water which can be used to give one round of irrigation in case of emergency," he said. Responding to the advisory departmental secretary directed the DAOs to arrange pump sets for farmers in their respective districts so that water could be pumped to the fields from the nearest water body. Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com