Pune: With the ongoing rainfall deficiency, agriculture experts said that though there has been less rainfall so far, the weather department is expecting good rainfall in the coming week after which the farmers can go ahead with sowing.

Anil Bansode, Joint Director, Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), said that till June 23, the Meteorological Department has forecast good rainfall across the State with scattered rainfall in parts of Vidarbha.

“Farmers will be notified after some rainfall across the State. Many of the farmers have started with rice nursery. Farmers are advised to start with Kharif crops like vigna radiata (mung), black gram (urid) and soyabean,” said Bansode. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Rajaram Deshmukh, former vice-chancellor of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (Agricultural College), said that by July 5, the first set of sowing should be over if the rains are good.

“If the rains are good till July 5, then the first set of sowing should start with vigna radiata (mung), black gram (urid) and soyabean. Once the soil is wet for two-and-a-half to three inches, the farmers should start preparing the land for sowing. The usual time for this is till July 5. But since the rainfall is delayed, crops like vigna radiata (mung), black gram (urid) and soyabean should be opted for. Farmers can also start with cotton after good soil moisture is seen,” said Deshmukh.

He added that if the sowing is done after July 15, these three corps may give less yield. “There can be losses after July 15. After July 15, the farmers may sow bajri, jawari and indigenous cotton instead of BT cotton,” said Deshmukh.  

He further added that due to the adverse effect on El Nino, there are chances that rainfall this season may take longer breaks in between. Hence, farmers should keep themselves updated.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Ajit Navale, Maharashtra General Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, said that the weather department should forecast a more accurate prediction to help the farmers.

“Right now, the farmer is engaged in ‘Jugaad-Sowing’ due to inaccurate forecast by the weather department. If the Met Department can issue a more accurate forecast, it can help a lot of farmers. Farmers, meanwhile, should not buy expensive seeds and fertilisers for the crops, as this money can go to waste,” said Nawale.