Paddy sowing picks up in Chhattisgarh as rains arrive
Friday, 17 July 2009, 22:16 IST
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Raipur: Above-average rainfall in parched Chhattisgarh since July 13, the first time this monsoon, has set paddy cultivation back on the track on about 3.5 million hectares. According to agriculture department officials, sowing has been completed in about 45 percent of the near 3.5 million hectares targeted for paddy cultivation in the state's 18 districts. About 80 percent of Chhattisgarh's 20-million population is dependent on agriculture. "We are still hopeful of achieving the target of 6.5 million tonnes of paddy in the current season," Agriculture Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu told newsmen. Meterological Centre director M.L. Sahu said the state had received average to heavy rainfall since Monday, and though slightly weakened the rains would continue to lash the state till Sunday. Paddy output had touched 5.7 million tonnes last year in Chhattisgarh, and the state government has now set a target of 6.55 million tonnes for the current kharif season.
Source: IANS
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