SAMBALPUR: Paddy cultivation, which had slowed down due to lack of rain in June, has gained momentum this month following heavy rain in the last three days. Farmers are now working overtime to finish broadcasting of seeds and transplantation of paddy saplings.According to reports, the district received 93.82 mm rainfall in last three days. Rainfall in the district from July 1 to 14 was a meagre 79.34 mm, which slowed down agricultural activities during the current kharif season.
The district has received rainfall of 178.04 mm between July 1 and July 18 while normal rainfall in the current month is 429.5 mm. Out of nine blocks in the district, Dhankauda received the maximum rainfall of 300 mm between July 1 and July 18 while Rairakhol registered minimum rainfall of 113.30 mm during the period. Dhankauda block has received 186.8 mm rain in last three days while Rairakhol has received 60.2 mm rainfall in this period.
Similarly, Rengali block received 204 mm rainfall between July 1 and July 18, Maneswar block 199.80 mm, Jujumura block 193 mm, Jamankira block 175.30 mm, Kuchinda block 152.60 mm, Bamra block 141.60 mm and Naktideul block got 121.80 mm rainfall till July 18. The district has received 175.58 mm rainfall in the month of June against normal rainfall of 221 mm.
The Agriculture Department has set a target to cultivate paddy over 1,07,300 hectares (ha) of land with a production target of 3,60,980 MT paddy during the current kharif season. Out of 1,07,300 ha, broadcasting of seeds has been targeted over 42,948 ha and till July 10 broadcasting of seeds has been completed over 31,520 ha. Similarly, transplantation of paddy saplings has been completed over 2,422 ha till July 10 against target of 64,352 ha. Paddy cultivation in the district was delayed from beginning of the season due to 20.55 per cent less rainfall in June. Deputy Director of Agriculture, Sambalpur, Khagendra Nath Jena said agricultural activities have picked up in the district after rainfall in last three days.