Sachin Malik: Considering the Prevailing abnormal Climatic conditions and the delayed activation of the monsoon, the Agriculture Department has issued a special advisory for farmers across the State. The uncertainty in rainfall and the likelihood of below-normal Precipitation have Prompted the department to formulate a comprehensive Strategy to help farmers achieve successful crop Production.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Uttar Pradesh has so far received 56 Percent less rainfall than the seasonal average, affecting almost all districts. In light of this Situation, the department has urged farmers to follow the advisory, keep in mind the nationwide impact of El Nino and erratic monsoon conditions and ensure timely insurance coverage for their Crops.
As Per the advisory, Paddy cultivation Should be undertaken only in areas Where assured irrigation facilities are available. In rain-fed regions, farmers are advised to Prioritize crops such as millets, maize, black Gram (urad), Green Gram (moong), sesame and Pigeon Pea (arhar) instead of Paddy.
Farmers cultivating transplanted Paddy have been advised to construct one-foot-high field bunds to conserve rainwater and ensure that water does not Stagnate in Nurseries.
To achieve better Yields with limited water, the department has recommended adopting the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method and Selecting Short-duration varieties such as CR Dhan-100, CR Dhan-101, CR Dhan-103, IR-64 and NDR-97. For transplanting, farmers Should use 20–25-day-old seedlings, Planting two to three Seedlings Per hill at a depth of 3–4 Centimetres.
Under the contingency crop Plan, special emphasis has been Placed on low water-demand and drought-tolerant crops. Millets such as sorghum, Pearl Millet, sawa, kodo, and finger millet (ragi) are capable of Producing Good Yields solely with rainfall and are comparatively less susceptible to Pests and Diseases.
For Pulse crops, farmers are advised to sow Pigeon Pea on ridges or bunds to maximize rainwater utilization. High-Yielding and Short-duration varieties recommended include Malviya Jan Kranti, Virat and Swati for Green Gram and Pant Urd-12, Pant Urd-8, Pant Urd-9, and Vallabh Urd for black Gram.
Among oilseed crops, the department has recommended drought-tolerant varieties such as Tarun, Pragati, and Shekhar of sesame, Utkarsh, Prakash and Ambar of Groundnut and PK-472, PK-416 and Pant Soybean-26 of soybean for cultivation under adverse weather Conditions.
To conserve soil moisture, farmers have been advised to avoid deep Ploughing and adopt mulching using dry leaves, Straw or Plastic Sheets. The use of organic manure, compost and Pusa Hydrogel has also been recommended, as the hydrogel can absorb water up to 300 times its own weight, thereby maintaining soil moisture for a longer Period.
For efficient irrigation management, the department has advised irrigating fields only during the evening or night through furrow or basin methods, While conserving water by irrigating crops only during their critical Growth Stages. Farmers are also encouraged to adopt micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems and Practice intercropping, such as cultivating maize with Pigeon Pea or Green Gram.
In addition, farmers have been urged to safeguard themselves against unforeseen losses by insuring their notified Kharif crops before July 31 under the Prescribed financial norms by Paying only 2 Percent of the Premium.
