Maharashtra government advises farmers to refrain from sowing till June 18

PUNE: The agriculture department of the Maharashtra government has advised farmers, except from the Konkan region to refrain from sowing till June 18 to avoid losses.

State Level weather-based Agro-advisory Committee working under India Meteorology Department of IMD, Pune has issued advisories to drought hit farmers from Maharashtra to wait for a few more days for kharif sowing.

"Sowing done with insufficient soil moisture can lead to crop losses in future," stated the advisory issed by the agricultural department.

After advancing till North Karnataka coast, monsoon became weak from June 10. Weather office expects revival of monsoon from June 15, while Marathwada and central Maharashtra are not likely to get rains till June 18.

The sowing has taken place on 15,290 hectare, which is only 0.46% of the total kharif sowing in the state.