Adverse effect on kharif sowing due to rains

- Introduction of agriculture app for farmers to get other information including agriculture, weather

With the onset of monsoon earlier than usual in the country, there was a feeling of happiness among the farmers, especially in the agricultural sector. Last June, the country's rainfall was around 10 per cent above normal. With the onset of rains, kharif sowing was accelerated in all four parts of the country, namely East-North East, North-West, Central and South India.

However, kharif sowing has been adversely affected by the withdrawal of rains since mid-June. In the first three weeks of the monsoon season in the country, sowing was in full swing. But kharif sowing has been disrupted across the country as rains have receded since mid-June.

However, the monsoon is expected to remain normal in the country after mid-July, the Meteorological Department said two days ago. According to the meteorological department, rainfall across the country is expected to be around 8 to 103 per cent in July.

Meanwhile, a self-reliant agriculture app has been launched to make it easier for the farmers of the country to get information related to agriculture as well as weather. The app is available in 14 languages ​​for farmers, start-ups, agricultural science centers, institutes as well as non-governmental organizations. All the details related to the agricultural sector will be given on this app by the Meteorological Department, ISRO, Agricultural Research Centers.

The app is designed to work with minimal bandwidth, keeping in mind the connectivity issues in the hinterland of the country. So that even the smallest farmers from far and wide can easily use this app.

As the app is readily available on Android as well as Windows Phone, it is presented in a language that farmers can easily understand the important issues related to agriculture including crop cycle, use of technology machinery in agriculture, crop pattern, fertilizer, water and environmental conditions.

India will soon become self-sufficient in fertilizer production under various schemes to boost the agricultural sector. The government has formulated an action plan for rock phosphate, the main raw material used in DAP and NPK fertilizers. In addition, it has been ordered to increase the production and consumption of phosphorite in various states of the country. Apart from this, plans have been made to speed up the production of other components used in the production of fertilizers.

It may be mentioned that about 90% of the rock phosphate used in the production of fertilizers is imported. Due to which the cost of fertilizer remains high. With this issue in mind the government is now focusing on this issue.