Pune: Incessant rainfall has affected paddy cultivation in the district. This year, paddy was cultivated on approximately 5,000 acres of land, a significant decrease from over 10,000 acres last year, district agriculture officials said.
Paddy is the primary monsoon crop in Bhor, Velhe, Maval, Mulshi, Ambegaon, and Junnar tehsils in the district. Farmers in these areas mainly grow Indrayani and Ambemohar varieties, along with several traditional paddy strains.
"Due to continuous rainfall since May, paddy growers were unable to establish their sapling nurseries. They needed a two-week break from the rain, which they did not get. Consequently, the planting process was hindered. In some regions, activity increased over the last 10 days, but we expect more transplantations in the coming weeks in the paddy-producing areas of the district," district agriculture officer Sanjay Kachole told TOI.
The average area under paddy in the district is 60,000 hectares. Pune is one of the leading rice producing regions in the state. "The Indrayani variety has become popular in the last five years in Pune and neighbouring districts.
There is a significant demand in the market. Therefore, growers have been getting decent earnings from it," said an agriculture department official.
As per the practice, farmers grow paddy saplings and then transplant them in the field. "This year, many farmers could not grow saplings because of heavy rainfall. Even many farmers could not prepare their fields. As a result, plantation was delayed by a few weeks," said Ashok Shengale, a tribal farmer from Ambegaon tehsil.
These regions have been getting heavy to very heavy rainfall over the last few weeks. "The intensity of rainfall in Maval and Mulshi has been heavy to very heavy on several days. For instance, the rainfall in the villages in Tamhini ghat section was over 300 mm in 24 hours. How can farmers initiate any work in the field?" said Akash Dumbre, a farmer from Mulshi tehsil.
The officials said a fortnight halt in rain will help pick up the pace of transplantation. "The positive aspect about these regions is the soil. It doesn't get affected even in heavy rainfall. Therefore, a short break from the rainfall will pave the way for transplantation," said Kachole.
"However, we are confident about achieving the average plantation of paddy this. This year, our officials will also help farmers by giving information regarding rainfall during harvesting season," added Kachole.
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