Gujarat: Farmer leaders doubt rabi acreage claims

Farmers leaders and representatives in the state doubt the claims of state government that over 28 lakh hectare of land has undergone sowing in rabi season this year. This is 90 per cent of the three-year average of about 31 lakh hectare. They claim that if irrigation water was not available, then how is it possible that seasonal acreage is near normal.

Agriculture department of the state government said in its weekly report that rabi acreage in the state as on January 21, 2019, stood at 28,37,230 hectare, which is 90.48 per cent of the three-year average of 31,35,725 hectare The acreage for the corresponding period last year was 34,33,585 hectare.

Sagar Rabari, founder president of Gujarat Khedut Ekta Manch outrightly rejected the data. "This is not possible under existing conditions. Hardly any water is supplied through any of the irrigation projects. I was in Saurashtra recently and the land was such that it seems as if it is summer," said Rabari.

Atul Patel, president of Khedut Hitrakshak Samiti in Junagadh said that sowing in Saurashtra should be lower by about 40 per cent compared to previous years, so there is no way sowing is near normal.

Jayesh Patel, president of Khedut Samaj — Gujarat said that the situation is a bit different in south Gujarat. "Farmers feared that they will not be able to take summer crops. So they increased their sowing in winter itself. So, so far as south Gujarat is concerned, there may be a marginal rise. But considering the entire state, 90 per sowing is not possible," said Jayesh Patel. He said that in spite of the rise in acreage, the production may actually fall because of the scarcity of water.

STATISTICS

• 28.37 lakh – hectare Rabi acreage this year 
   
• 31.36 lakh – hectare 3-yr avg rabi acreage
   
• 34.34 lakh – hectare Rabi acreage last year (same period)