NAGPUR: Rains have brought some respite on the farm front throughout Vidarbha. Nearly a week’s dry spell after sowing had posed a risk to the crops.
Lack of rains had slowed down sowing in Amravati division, which covers west Vidarbha. Here sowing has been done in only 75% of the farm area. In Nagpur division, which covers eastern part, transplantation of paddy shoots in almost 80% of the area could not take place due to the gap in rains. Sowing of cotton and soyabean was completed in 95% of the area but the dry spell had led to the risk.
Senior officials of the agriculture department in both divisions said Thursday’s rains will help farmers in large tracts carry on for another 15 days at least.
There are some pockets in Amravati division where the rainfall was low, and it may need a couple of days of additional downpour. However, the overall situation has eased and there is no immediate threat now, said a source.
