Monsoon break brings respite to farmers
3 Jul 2009, 1032 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Jalpaiguri/Shimla, July 3 After a long dry spell, farmers in different parts of the country finally heaved a sigh of relief as the monsoons arrived.

The onset of monsoons in Jalpaiguri in West Bengal raised hopes for the farmers waiting to sow their crops.

The region received almost 300 mm of rainfall in the past two days. The farmers were worried due to the delay in monsoons.

"I am happy that it has rained finally. The crops are more or less fine. We will start sowing jute. We were very anxious when it did not rain for a long time. We hope there will be a good yield and we can sell our crops in the market," said Khagendranath Burman, a farmer.

With only 40 per cent of farmland irrigated, most of small farmers rely on the monsoon to water their crops.

The Indian Meteorological Department had mentioned that rainfall received for the month of June has been 45 per cent less than the normal.

In Jalpaiguri, the rain is still below average but enough for the farmers to start sowing.

"Average June rainfall in this area is around 650 mm, out of which we have received, in the last two days around 300 mm. Before that, in the last 25 days, we received around 150 mm. So 450 mm rain, we already received. So I think next one or two days, we will get little bit more," said Subir Sarkar, a meteorologist.

Even in Shimla, the rain showers have brought much needed relief to the farmers. Now, they are ready to sow.

"We will start sowing maize. And amongst vegetables, we are sowing cauliflowers, french beans and tomatoes. It has rained enough for these crops.

We have started ploughing our fields and are ready for sowing." said Swaroop, a farmer.

The monsoon is crucial for summer-sown crops ranging from paddy, soybean, sugarcane and cotton. (ANI)

Related Latest

Rooney hopes to break his scoring record to bridge post- Ronaldo Man U goal gap Oprah Winfrey brings curtain down on her talk show At agri fair, flood-hit Karnataka farmers seek jobs Ant farmers use bacteria to make their gardens grow Mattoo brings about momentary peace in hockey camp Mattoo brings about a truce between Brasa and players Fashionable Villegas brings glamour to Dubai World Championships Farmers vandalise sugar mill offices over sugarcane pricing Winter chill brings on increase in swine flu cases Fear of bad performance drives firms to break law

Related Latest

Oz troops battling cocaine addiction in Afghanistan, Iraq ULFA leaders will be given safe passage if they lay down arms Scientists find "predator" corals that eat jellyfish Physicists move one step closer to quantum computing Scientists achieve breakthrough in bioethanol production from agricultural waste International expedition investigates climate change in Arctic New discovery could make plants disease resistant and high-yielding New website gives tips on how to prepare for and survive a tsunami India to tell US no role for China in South Asia Soon, "green" tires that boost mileage and cut CO2 emissions

• Oz troops battling cocaine addiction in Afghanistan, Iraq
• Scientists find "predator" corals that eat jellyfish
• Physicists move one step closer to quantum computing
• Scientists achieve breakthrough in bioethanol production from agricultural waste
• ULFA leaders will be given safe passage if they lay down arms

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights