Farmers told to shift from cotton

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New Delhi, Jul 25 : The central government has advised farmers to replace cotton with pearl millet (Bajra), jowar and sunflower in areas where sowing has been delayed even though it is confident that the forecast of improved rain in the coming weeks will speed up sowing. “We held a review meeting today and have arrived at the conclusion that there is nothing to panic and there is still time for improvement in sowing in areas where cotton is grown,” a senior government official told FE. He added that rains have already revived in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra since the past few days and will improve in the coming weeks. Barring some parts of Karnataka, the monsoon has resumed in most dry areas of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, the official explained.

India’s southwest monsoon which enters the mainland around June is crucial for the country’s agriculture as more than 75% of around 234 million farmers depend on it for irrigation. This year, the monsoon has been erratic and after making a good advent in June, it slowed down in the subsequent weeks. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the cumulative seasonal rainfall during June 1 to July 23 has been 2% below average for the country as a whole. Overall, out of the 36 meteorological subdivisions, rainfall has been excess in over 9, normal in 12 and deficient or scanty in over 15 sectors.