Rabi crop production is expected to rise: Experts

Mumbai: A good monsoon this year has brought good news for the agriculture sector. Experts said that this year the Rabi crop production is expected to rise. However, the state government will have to provide seeds and fertilisers to farmers on time to make the most of it, they added.

According to experts, due to irregular monsoon initially, the Kharif foodgrain output is estimated to be down. However, later the situation improved due to the increasing levels of all major dams in the state. This would not only help the Rabi crops, which are sown in winter but also address drinking water problem of humans and animals in the state

Agro expert Budhajirao Mulik said, “Some parts of Vidarbha and Western Maharashtra have not received even average rainfall. So the crops there are likely to be affected to a great extent. Heavy rainfall in September has also damaged Kharif crops.”

“However, the near-normal rainfall will help the Rabi harvest. The state government is likely to offer help to farmers in the form of seeds, fertilisers before October 15. The aid should be offered on time so that it will enable farmers to sow on time,” he added.

Another expert Maruti Kandale said, “Rains had taken a breather for nearly a month during monsoon, and then there was a heavy rainfall. This has affected Kharif crops like Soyabeen, Moong and Udir. This is likely to cause losses to farmers since Kharif are the major crop of the state. However, a good average rainfall will definitely help Rabi crop, though it is less in quantity.”