Patna: Paddy transplantation in Bihar has been hit, especially in southern parts, due to insufficient rains in June and July, affecting the agriculture landscape during which the sowing season is at its peak.
According to the agriculture department data, the paddy transplantation area in the state stands at around 10 lakh hectares against the target of over 34 lakh hectares, which is just 28.57% of the target.
Paddy transplantation requires a huge quantity of water in the fields. The situation is quite bad as there has not been enough rainfall in the state. In South Bihar, the monsoon has been poor, and it could be much below the target. In case there is deficient rain in the next one week, said an official requesting anonymity.
As per data of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the overall rainfall deficit in the state stood at 21%. From 1 June to 19 July, Bihar has received 382 mm of rainfall during the period against the normal 482 mm. In the month of July, the rains have been good in many districts. A senior meteorologist in the state said that while there has been a good rainfall in South Bihar compared to North and East Bihar.
The final data will be available after the next one week. However, an official of the state’s agriculture department said that the actual deficit in South Bihar will be higher in case the rains are deficient after the final analysis. Director of agriculture, Bijay Kumar, urged the farmers to go for direct sowing of paddy in the next few weeks.
RJD demands compensation
RJD members, RJD’s state unit president Jagdanand Singh on Friday demanded that the state government provide immediate compensation to the farmers affected due to deficient rains. Singh said, “The government must compensate the farmers for their losses due to deficient rains and help them in taking alternate steps to minimize the impact of deficient rains in South Bihar districts.”
Agriculture minister Mangal Pandey said that the state government will help the farmers in every possible way. “We are keeping a close watch on the situation, and farmers will be advised accordingly,” Pandey said.
