Rain to benefit farmers planning cotton sowing, moong

AHMEDABAD: Summer showers across Punjab and Haryana are set to benefit farmers who are planning cotton sowing and summer moong. However, it is a matter of concern for those who are yet to harvest wheat. Over 20% of the crop is yet to be harvested in the state. “Sowing of cotton started a week ago across Punjab and Haryana . The rain facilitated farmers who didn’t have canal irrigation ,” said Northern Indian Cotton Association (covering Punjab, Haryana , and northern Rajasthan ) president Rakesh Rathi.

Agriculture department officials estimate a 10% to 15% increase in acreage this season as cotton has become more lucrative than paddy, basmati and pulses. “Subject to availability of water, the acreage may further increase,” said Rathi. In 2010-11 , cotton in the northern belt was sown on over 12-lakh hectare. Planting of the summer moong has also started with the rains providing necessary moisture.

The state has been promoting the crop after the wheat harvesting to ensure that the farmers don’t grow summer paddy (saathi) and paddy nurseries across the region, thereby conserving water. The 60-day summer moong being a leguminous crop improve the soil health by enriching the soil fertility .

However, rains in the past few days have been a matter of concern for farmers who have not completed the wheat harvest and those who have brought the crop to the mandis. “We have advised farmers to go for safe storage and harvest the crop at the earliest,” said a Punjab government official. Sowing of cotton started a week ago across Punjab and Haryana. The rain facilitated farmers who didn’t have irrigation facility.