Virtual Interface Meeting on Enhancing the Preparedness of Agricultural Contingencies in Kharif 2023 for Maharashtra

A Virtual Interface Meeting on Enhancing the Preparedness of Agricultural Contingencies in Kharif 2023 for Maharashtra was organized by ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, and Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra today.

Shri Eknath Dwale, Principle. Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra urged to verify the availability of seed and instructed to go for sowing of soybean if the late onset of monsoon happens.

Dr. V.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA, informed about the need for the interface meeting to enhance preparedness in view of the IMD long-range weather forecast and its implications for the state.

Dr.  H. S. Hosalikar, Head, IMD Pune suggested that every week weather forecasts may be religiously followed by all the department officials and disseminate the information to all the farmers so that appropriate decisions can be taken in time

Dr. Vinaykumar Awate, Chief Statistical Officer, Department of Agriculture, presented the crop situation in Maharashtra state. He explained that with the help of ICAR-CRIDA and State Agricultural Universities, the contingency crop plans were prepared and updated.

Dr. Ravindra Chary, PC, AICRPDA stressed enhancing the storage of rainfall in farmers’ fields and making use of harvested runoff for critical irrigations during dry spells.

Dr. K.V. Rao, ICAR-CRIDA presented the monsoon forecasts for the season to Maharashtra state, crop area details, and possible contingency measures to be taken up by the Maharashtra government.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Scientists of AICRPDA and AICRPAM, Directors of ICAR institutes located in Maharashtra, the Director (Research) / Director (Extension) of SAUs,

The optimum sowing window for soybean was discussed by all experts and concluded that till July end the soybean can be sown. However, it has been suggested to follow intercropping for Soybean if sowings are to take place after 15th July. It was also suggested that cotton, castor, green gram, and pigeon pea are the other alternates during the late monsoon conditions.

(Source: ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad)