Mumbai, 04 September (Commoditiescontrol): Recent weather updates have raised concerns for moong farmers in Rajasthan as the state continues to experience dry weather conditions. This drought-like situation has directly affected the flowering and pod-setting activities of the crop in Rajasthan's primary cultivation regions.
Experts suggest that the lack of rainfall over the previous month has been detrimental, with crop yields expected to be significantly lower than initially projected. This reduction in yield primarily stems from the possibility of grains remaining smaller than usual due to the ongoing dry spell. Unfortunately, forecasts predict that Rajasthan will continue to endure this dry weather for at least another two weeks, which could exacerbate the situation for the state's moong farmers.
In contrast, rainfall is on the horizon for Maharashtra and North Karnataka over the forthcoming fortnight. However, any gains in these regions will likely not offset the production losses faced in Rajasthan, due to the considerably reduced moong cultivation acreage in the former states. Harvesting of early-planted crops has commenced in Karnataka, and by mid-September, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are set to follow suit.
A recent update from the Ministry of Agriculture, dated August 25, 2023, has provided further insight into the current plight of moong cultivation. The report revealed a decline of 7.7% in the total area dedicated to moong farming, registering at 30.98 lakh ha. The substantial decrease in moong cultivation in Maharashtra and Karnataka, even with an increase in acreage in Rajasthan, means that the overall moong acreage is projected to remain 5-7% lower than last year.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau: 09820130172)