Experts estimate paddy production may go down by 20 per cent in UP if it does not rain in two weeks

If it does not rain in the next two weeks in Uttar Pradesh (UP), drought may cause up to a 20 per cent decline in paddy production. This was an apprehension of the experts at the 29th annual three-day workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT), Meerut, under the aegis of the Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Kanpur. Directors from various agricultural universities in the province and KVKs from every district participated in the workshop.

In a discussion with Rural Voice, Dr SS Singh, Director, Extension Education, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Jhansi, said, “The paddy acreage has increased in the Bundelkhand region over the past few years due to good rainfall and canal irrigation facilities. While paddy farming was done over 9,000 hectares (ha) in the district of Jhansi last year, farmers have planted paddy over 28,000 ha this year.”

Similarly, while paddy farming was done over 90,000 ha in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh last year, the corresponding area this year is 2 lakh ha. If it does not rain, drought will lead to a decline in production. Dr SS Singh said, “The production of leguminous crops moong and urad may decline by as much as 30 per cent in Bundelkhand. If it does not rain, the Rabi crops, too, will get affected in Bundelkhand.”

Dr Arvind Singh, Coordinator, Directorate of Extension, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, said, “If it does not rain in another week or two, the paddy crop in Kanpur and adjoining districts will get more affected. Paddy production will decline by up to 30 per cent.” He added, “There will not be much effect on other crops.”

Dr PK Singh, Director, Extension, SVPUAT, Meerut, said, “The drought will not have much effect on the sugarcane crop in Meerut and neighbouring districts.” Dr Hansraj Singh, Head, KVK, Hapur, said, “If it does not rain in a week or two, there will be a 7-10 per cent decline in early-season paddy in western districts and the production of late-maturing paddy crops is expected to decline by 20-25 per cent.” Dr Lakshmi Kant, Head, KVK, Bulandshahr, said, “There will be no impact on sugarcane crop in western districts, but paddy production may decline.”

Dr Sanjay Arora, Principal Scientist, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Regional Research Centre, Lucknow, said, “In the alkaline-region districts of Kannauj, Kanpur, Lucknow, Raebareli, Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, Allahabad and Azamgarh, the absence of rain brings salt to the surface of the earth, leading to the death of paddy plants. The paddy crop may get more affected in these districts.” He added, “If it does not rain, the crops are also more likely to face termite attack in such soil.”

BP Shahi, Head, KVK, Bahraich, said that the absence of rainfall in his area might lead to a decline in paddy production by up to 30 per cent.  The maize crop is also getting affected. His apprehension was that there might be a 7-10 per cent decline in sugarcane production.