Delayed rainfall raises concerns for farmers in Gir Somnath; groundnut, soybean, and cotton crops at critical stage
Farmers in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district are concerned due to the delayed monsoon. Sowing has been completed across 147,323 hectares in the district this Kharif season, a figure roughly equal to last year's. Currently, groundnut, soybean, and cotton crops are at critical stages of development, making rainfall in the coming days crucial for the harvest.
Sowing has covered 91,479 hectares for groundnut, 26,787 hectares for soybean, and 12,491 hectares for cotton. Fodder crops have also been sown across approximately 11,103 hectares. At present, groundnut is in the pod-filling stage, soybean is in the grain formation and filling stage, and cotton is in the flowering and bud formation stage.
According to Jaideep Chauhan, Assistant Director of the Agriculture Department, most areas in the district have irrigation facilities, and farmers are currently watering their crops using groundwater. Consequently, despite the delayed rain, the condition of the crops has not yet deteriorated. However, a prolonged dry spell could increase pressure on groundwater and irrigation sources.
The department indicates that if good rainfall occurs within the next 8 to 10 days, the likelihood of significant crop loss is low. Farmers have been advised to use water judiciously and adopt drip and sprinkler irrigation methods. Emphasis has also been placed on weed control and mulching to retain soil moisture. Priority has been advised for irrigation during the flowering and grain-filling stages.
In the event of moisture stress, the Agriculture Department recommends spraying a 1–2% solution of urea or potassium nitrate (13:0:45) and ensuring timely harvesting once the crop matures. For now, farmers are awaiting good rainfall.
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