Sowings have been possible so far in about 40.67 lakh hectares of land in the state as against the target of 128.09 lakh hectares. And in the areas where sowings have been done the failure of the rains has caused unending worries to cultivators.

Sources in the State Agriculture Department point out that in case of the rains failing the main hope will hinge on the prospects of the kharif pulses. The sowing in case of the kharif pulses such as moon, moth, till among others is done in the state towards the end of July.

Normally the kharif sowings are done by July 10 every year, but this year the position is awful following the complete disappearance of monsoons. Out of 32 districts in Rajasthan, only Chittorgarh district receivedrains above the normal level.

Last year the sowings had been possible in 43.5 lakh hectares by this time but due to the late rains the farmers had to sow late variety of seeds. The Department of Agriculture has made arrangements to make available late variety seeds so that the situation could be met. But it will all depend on the late rains in the months of September and October this year. The target set for sowings this year in Rajasthan under the kharif crop is 128.09 lakh hectares, but it is now almost certain that the department may not be able to achieve the same.

Bajra, jowar and maize are the main kharif crops of Rajasthan. In fact, Rajasthan tops the country in the production of bajra and its shortage this year will have a direct impact on the prices of foodgrains. In the rural areas bajra is the staple food and at present a scarcity of this foodgrain is felt in the market. Taking advantage of the position the traders have not been releasing their bajra stocks to the mandies. ``We are taking acomplete view of the situation,'' says a spokesman of the government.

The Agriculture Department is launching a campaign to impress upon the farmers to take advantage of the short duration seeds. But the farmers still hope that the situation would improve in couple of days, when the state would be blessed with rains.

About 20 per cent of production in the kharif crop is contributed by cotton and sugarcane. These crops depend on the availability of waters. And if the rains fail, which will result in the irrigation dams of the state remaining empty, the position will certainly deteriorate. By now the rains should have been on an average to the tune of 148 mm in the state, but so far reports say that the average may not be even 85 mm.

The government is also thinking to declare some parts of the state as famine hit due to failure of rains. But to meet the emerging situation the government will have to spend huge sums of money. Given its present tight financial position, it may not be possible to raise thenecessary resources to meet the famine situation.

``We have approached the Centre for help, but as of now there aren't any positive signs,'' said a spokesman. And the situation will further worsen due to the elections, he added.