State government elated over bumper rabi crop

• A With paddy yield put at 1.90 lakh tonnes the government surpassed its own target of 1.78 lakh tonnes A
• Sets higher target for kharifA

H Venkatesh Hyderabad: The State government is on cloud nine as it surpassed its own target set for the paddy yield during April- May. Thanks to the efforts made by officials concerned and farmers who were in a jubilant mood ever since they got paddy yield more than what was expected. It is due to the resources made available to surpass the target, despite the odds of erratic power and water supply, since paddy was a water intensive crop, according to officials. The agriculture action plan that was submitted during the last Assembly session had proposed to reach a target of 1.78 lakh tonnes of paddy, however it got about 13 lakh tonnes more pegging the yield at 1.91 lakh tonnes. The government is now planning to achieve the similar target for the kharif beginning June-July. A fresh target of 2.24 lakh tonnes is proposed, which is 40 lakh tonnes more than the previous crop.

Talking to The Hans India on condition of anonymity, an official said, "Though there were some odds like continuous drought for three years � the last one being a severe one, problems in power and water supply, we could outperform our own target set for the paddy". And with same vigour the department wanted to reach a target of 2.24 lakh tons of paddy yield next Kharif, he added. Paddy being aquatic crop needs sustained supply of water, high humidity, sunshine, clay soil, organic matter, he said. The government would sure reach the fresh target, he exuded confidence. According to agriculture experts standing paddy crop requires an ideal temperature of 21-37 deg Celsius, while at the time of the yield it could take around 40 deg Celsius for the aquatic harvest, which may damage if it rises to 44 deg Celsius. This time the farmers were able to get about 40 bags of paddy per acre, against the previous crop of only around 32 bags (each bag contains 70 kg), he maintained. It is a good sign for us to provide timely help to farmers such as quality seeds, fertilizers and loans too. To boost the farming sector about 14.50 lakh tonnes of subsidy seeds of all varieties would be made available, he added Rabi crop saw a reduction in the area of about 5 lakh hectares against the regular area of 15 lakh hectares, rise in productivity led to enhanced yield of paddy, sources said. Kharif and Rabi put together the total cultivation area is put at 120.16 lakh hectares, this time the government plans to cultivate the crops in about 133 lakh hectares. On Union Agriculture Ministry's proposal to hike MSP of rice by Rs 60 in the open market (existing general category Rs 1250 per quintal will rise to Rs 1310), and A grade rice Rs 1280 will rise to Rs 1345), he said that state government was expecting more help. To a query on other proposals made by the Centre on various crops such as - Red Gram Rs 450, Oil Seeds Rs 300, Cotton Rs 100, Maize and others Rs 150, he said that depending on the demands of the states some more hike was expected. The centre was to provide extended loan facility, timely release of funds assured to agriculture sector besides its allied sectors, he explained.