A strategy to maximise the production of rabi crops in the coming rabi season will be chalked out at the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2012, a two-day event that commences next week. It will focus on making the best use of the available moisture in the wake of the delayed monsoon.
The papers circulated by the agriculture ministry to the participants in this conference elaborate on this strategy. “Kharif 2012 began with the delayed onset of the monsoon and subdued activity during the sowing period of June-July 2012, which improved gradually during August and is continuing in September.”
“This resulted in delayed sowing and some areas remained unsown, which is bound to impact the production of kharif crops, especially coarse cereals. But at the same time, it has provided a new opportunity for additional coverage under rabi crops and the prospects of the same has fortified with widespread rains during September enough to recharge the soil profile in rainfed areas adequate not only for germination of the seeds but also to sustain the plant growth till the post rainy season rains in November or winter rains in December-January,” it added.
It further stated, “Thus it is essential to capitalise upon the available soil moisture through timely sowing and placing the seed at appropriate depth and duly supported by the right amount of nutrition and plant protection.”
The Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) has come out with crop and area-specific recommendations for wheat and other winter crops. These include use of high-yielding varieties, disease control and improved agronomic practices. These will also be discussed during the conference.
Special attention will be paid to maximising production of oilseeds and pulses. Besides general discussion, a separate session will be held with eight states specifically on these crops. The states are Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Delhi.
Two other areas have been identified for focussed discussion – proper use of pesticides, and taking knowledge and technology to the farmer’s field.
The conference will be attended by senior officers of state agriculture departments, experts and representatives of the concerned ministries, and scientists from ICAR, other research institutes and crop directorates.
