Sunflower cultivation has increased sharply in Maharashtra this kharif season, with some farmers shifting from pulses such as moong and urad amid inadequate rainfall during the crucial sowing period in June.
“Pulses such as urad and moong need to be sown by mid-June for proper germination and yields. “Farmers shifted to these crops as they expect them to fetch attractive prices in the market. Sunflower has been sown on 83% of its targeted 1.16 lakh hectares, compared with 37% during the corresponding period last year, according to the latest state agriculture department data.
However, rainfall during June was inadequate in the state, prompting some farmers to shift to crops such as sunflower, soybean and maize,” agriculture department officials said. Good rainfall in August should also help the kharif season,” Bharne said. Good rainfall across several districts in August is also aiding crop germination,” officials said. Sowing has declined in Nandurbar, Gadchiroli, Solapur and Kolhapur districts compared to last year, according to the department’s data.
“The revival of the southwest monsoon in July has significantly narrowed the gap in kharif sowing compared with last year.
