Sowing of rabi crops completed in 16 lakh hectares in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR: As the delayed monsoon rains started to gain pace in many parts of the state this week, rabi crops sowing has completed in nearly 16 lakh hectares across Gujarat.

Most of this sowing has been reported from the Saurashtra region, home to cotton and groundnut, sown in almost 7 lakh and 6 lakh hectares until now, respectively.

The farmers in most areas had commenced sowing with the help of Narmada waters, decline in irrigation and over two lakh check-dams developed over the past 15 years.

As the pace of monsoon rains are likely to gain momentum, Gujarat would close the sowing season with nearly 90 lakh hectares. By October last year, despite delayed rains, sowing had been finished in almost 88 lakh hectares.