PATNA: After two years of low paddy harvest in 2009 and 2010, Bihar is set for a bumper paddy crop during the current kharif season. With recent precipitation compensating for deficient rain in south Bihar districts in July, agricultural scene has brightened up. The mood among farmers have changed from that of despair to one of high spirits, and consumes worried at ever-rising prices have reason to take heart.
As compared to last year, the area under paddy cultivation has gone up by about 50% this year. Against 24 lakh hectares in 2010, the paddy acreage has increased to 35 lakh hectares.
"The state will witness bumper paddy harvest this kharif season. Of late, there were some concerns over drought-like situation in some parts of south Bihar due to lack of rains. But recent spells of rain have removed all such concerns," agriculture production commissioner Ashok Kumar Sinha told TOI.
He added: "Rainfall in the first week of this month has completely compensated for the minor deficit. Paddy transplantation is now almost complete. And, farmers are looking forward to high yield."
In 2010, paddy production per hectare was an average 13.11 quintals, with total production being 31.5 lakh tonnes in the state. The production is likely to more than double this year, according to official sources.
"We are expecting an average production of 19.85 quintals of paddy per hectare," said R K Sohane, a senior agricultural expert.
According to monthly district-wise rainfall report obtained from agriculture department, in June actual rainfall in most of the districts was more than normal rainfall. But in July, deficiency in rainfall was reported from most of the districts.
Rohtas district witnessed only 89.5mm rainfall against the normal expectation of 318.5mm, while Bhojpur witnessed only 33.9mm rainfall against the normal expectation of 295.5mm. Deficiency was also reported in Aurangabad and Kaimur districts in the same month.
In a first, the state agriculture department has introduced System Rise Intensification (SRI) system in a mission-mode. SRI is a unique technique which doubles paddy production.
"SRI has been implemented in 3.5 lakh hectares this year. It has been used as part of the second green revolution from eastern region plan," said A C Jain, a senior agriculture official.
"The SRI technique has been mainly implemented in Nalanda, Gaya, Jehanabad, Nawada and other southern districts.
SRI technique works in places which receive scanty rainfall, proving a boon," Jain told TOI.
As compared to last year, the area under paddy cultivation has gone up by about 50% this year. Against 24 lakh hectares in 2010, the paddy acreage has increased to 35 lakh hectares.
"The state will witness bumper paddy harvest this kharif season. Of late, there were some concerns over drought-like situation in some parts of south Bihar due to lack of rains. But recent spells of rain have removed all such concerns," agriculture production commissioner Ashok Kumar Sinha told TOI.
He added: "Rainfall in the first week of this month has completely compensated for the minor deficit. Paddy transplantation is now almost complete. And, farmers are looking forward to high yield."
In 2010, paddy production per hectare was an average 13.11 quintals, with total production being 31.5 lakh tonnes in the state. The production is likely to more than double this year, according to official sources.
"We are expecting an average production of 19.85 quintals of paddy per hectare," said R K Sohane, a senior agricultural expert.
According to monthly district-wise rainfall report obtained from agriculture department, in June actual rainfall in most of the districts was more than normal rainfall. But in July, deficiency in rainfall was reported from most of the districts.
Rohtas district witnessed only 89.5mm rainfall against the normal expectation of 318.5mm, while Bhojpur witnessed only 33.9mm rainfall against the normal expectation of 295.5mm. Deficiency was also reported in Aurangabad and Kaimur districts in the same month.
In a first, the state agriculture department has introduced System Rise Intensification (SRI) system in a mission-mode. SRI is a unique technique which doubles paddy production.
"SRI has been implemented in 3.5 lakh hectares this year. It has been used as part of the second green revolution from eastern region plan," said A C Jain, a senior agriculture official.
"The SRI technique has been mainly implemented in Nalanda, Gaya, Jehanabad, Nawada and other southern districts.
SRI technique works in places which receive scanty rainfall, proving a boon," Jain told TOI.
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