Maharashtra recommends farmers not to start sowing until 80 to 100 mm rainfall is received

The Maharashtra agriculture department has recommended farmers not to start sowing until their individual regions receive rainfall of between 80mm and 100mm, owing to record pre-monsoon showers in most areas of the state. 

Farmers can begin pre-sowing operations in fields, according to a statement released by the state agriculture department on Wednesday. “Only after 80mm-100mm of rainfall does the soil retain moisture. As a result, farmers should delay sowing,” the message added. 

In the last 15 days, the Western region, Marathwada, and Vidarbha have gotten a lot of rain. In May, Pune received 145.4 mm of rain, the most in a decade. 

Pre-monsoon showers with thunderstorms and lightning are expected in Konkan, Central Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha until June 4, with more rain and thunderstorms expected in Vidarbha on June 5. 

Farmers in Vidarbha can begin preliminary work on crops such as soybean, groundnut, and maize, as well as work on the pre-plantation of the rice crop, according to the Department of Agriculture. 

The seeds sowed during the inconsistent rains, according to the agency, will be wasted due to a lack of moisture. Hence farmers need to be careful.