Summer season is a short, bonus season from March to June, between two main crops of Rabi and Kharif. It provides additional income for farmers. As of last year, just 3.2% of total cultivated area (189.2m ha) was used across 13 states having assured irrigation. Bihar, Gujarat, MP, Karnataka and AP are the leading states. Percentage has risen to 4.2%, showing an area growth of 31.9% to 80 lakh ha (see below).
In January Govt planned an increase in area under Pulses, Oilseeds & Coarse grains by 50%. By 7th May, it was up by 51% from 26.9 to 40.6 lakh ha!! Irrigation of summer crops is assured due to excess reservoir waters and there was timely distribution of certified high-yielding seeds, pesticides, fertiliser and extension services to farmers.
Govt official said, "Target for summer crops is 5m tonnes of cereals, pulses and oilseeds. Planting of summer crops, especially pulses improves the nitrogen content and prepares the land for Kharif planting. Also, we are encouraging farmers to plant more nutri-cereals (like Maize, Bajra, Jowar and Ragi) as they require less water and demand in global market is high".
Farmers have started sowing summer crops through seed drill/zero till after treating the seeds and they are using high yielding varieties and post-harvest value addition technologies for higher economic gains. This will increase cropped area & yields [retained moisture], reduce labour & production costs [mechanisation] and increase farmers' incomes.
Sowing of Summer Crops as on May 7, 2021
|
|
|
|
Rice |
39.43 |
33.82 |
16.6 |
Pulses |
17.75 |
6.45 |
175.2 |
Oilseeds |
10.74 |
9.03 |
18.9 |
Coarse Grains |
12.11 |
11.37 |
6.5 |
Total |
80.03 |
60.67 |
31.9 |
Organic farming in India: high quality and export success
Himalayan states eg. Sikkim are fully 100% organic and others are becoming one like Uttarakhand. Andra Pradesh may become 1st large state to do. Its ambitious Zero Budget Natural Farming programme is "transforming things on the ground". Organic farming not only stops the dependency on chemicals but improves on the poor soil quality and water scarcity situation in AP.
Organic farming in some measure is happening in other places across India and exports are a useful impetus. In addition, nutraceuticals and health foods are gaining export traction. Organic food exports rose by 51% (to $1.04 billion) in 2020-21! Export quantity has increased by 39% to 890,000 MT. Items are very varied eg. oil cake meals, oilseeds, fruit pulps and purees, cereals and millets, spices and condiments, tea, medicinal plant products, dry fruits, sugar, pulses, coffee, etc.
India exports organic foods to 58 countries, such as US, Japan, Europe, Israel, Korea, that have very high import standards. India's NPOP certification is accepted in EU, UK and Switzerland. India is negotiating the same with other trading partners.
