Area under water consuming early variety paddy reduced in Haryana

Chandigarh, Oct 13 (UNI) The area under 'Satthi', on early paddy variety which matures in 60 days and consumes large quantaties of water was reduced drastically to only 1,249 hectares in Haryana this season.

In the last kharif season 'Saathi' was sownin 17,654 hectares in the state.

This reduction has largely been due to efforts of the Haryana government and the initiatives of the state agriculture department which had discouraged the farmers from growing this variety in view of the fall in the watertable in the state.

While stating this here today, Director Agriculture, R K Khullar said keeping in view the adverse affects of sowing this crop, extensive awareness campaigns had been launched in the four districts of the state to persuade the farmers against growing this crop. Similarly, seminars and awareness camps were also organised for this purpose which helped in significant reduction of the crop area.

He said simultaneously, the 'Satthi' growers were also encouraged to cultivate Dhaincha, a green manure crop instead of 'Satthi', which not only helped in the conservation of ground water but also in maintaining the nutrient value of land and thereby making it more fertile. The Department had distributed 3000 quintals of Dhaincha seeds free of cost to give confidence and support to cultivators in adopting to cultivation over an area of 25,000 acres.

Mr Khullar said farmers were also exhorted to cultivate pulses such as Moong and Urad, vegetables and fodder crops through various Kisan Seminars held all across the state and they were also provided subsidy on the seeds of pulses.

Cooperation sought from Panchayati Raj Institutions for the campaign, had proved beneficial in changing the mindset of the farmers, he added.

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