Paddy cultivation down by 20 percent in Assam

Guwahati, July 30 (ANI): Farmers in some parts of Assam are facing a tough time due to the delayed rainfall as, officials estimated, it could lead to a 20 per cent drop in the paddy crop cultivation.

Rainfall was delayed in Kamrup, Sibsagar, parts of Jorhat, Golaghat, Nalbari, Goalpara and Dhubri districts.

State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that delayed rains would reduce paddy production by at least 20 per cent.

"Because of the late arrival of rain, it is expected that its going to affect 20 per cent of rice crops, even if the rain continues," said Gogoi.

The paddy fields look barren even after the arrival of rain because the peak time for cultivation is over.

Gogoi said that the Government is formulating an action plan to deal with the situation.

"To meet the situation, we have decided to give diesel to farmers. We have also distributed pump sets to them. Wherever the canals can be repaired, we have instructed to repair it also," he said.

The Assam Government had recently declared more than half of the state drought-hit, but the delayed rainfall has given a bit of relief to the farmers.

A high-level committee chaired by Gogoi took the decision to declare 14 of Assam's 27 districts as drought-hit.

The monsoon is crucial for summer-sown (Kharif) crops and most of the country's marginal farmers rely solely on the rains.

Delayed and uneven rains could impact the country's crop production. Though the monsoon has revived in northern India, parched farmlands present a grim situation. (ANI)