Buldhana likely to stay dry for next 5 days; farmers urged to check water before rabi sowing

Buldhana district is likely to remain dry for the next five days, according to the five-day forecast of the India Meteorological Department. The sky will be mostly clear, with clouds in some places.

In view of El Nino-like conditions and the changing maximum temperature, the District Agro-Meteorology Unit has advised farmers to plan rabi season crops only when they are certain that irrigation facilities are available.

The unit said safflower (kardi) can be sown in irrigated fields until the end of October. If safflower seed is soaked in water overnight before sowing, it germinates quickly and well. Farmers should therefore sow at the right time, keeping in mind the moisture available in the field.

Given the likely shortage of water, farmers have been asked to prune dry, diseased and unwanted branches of fruit trees. This will reduce the trees' water needs and allow better use of the water that is available.

Advice has also been issued on animal fodder. Dry fodder alone does not meet all the nutritional needs of animals. Feed should therefore be planned according to the animal's age, weight, milk production and physical condition. Farmers have also been asked to include balanced cattle feed, mineral mixture and salt in the ration as needed.

Because of El Nino-like conditions, post-monsoon or unseasonal rain is unlikely this month. Farmers should therefore plan sowing only after checking water availability. They have also been urged to choose rabi varieties that can tolerate water shortage and mature early.

The agricultural advisory has been issued under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva by the District Agro-Meteorology Unit, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Buldhana. The unit is attached to Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola.