Focus on wider irrigation for pulses cultivation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 26 JUNE: To implement the Food Security Mission's projects, the Malda district administration has stressed the need to earmark more land for the cultivation of various pulses.

The district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh, yesterday held a meeting with the principal agriculture officer (PAO) and other concerned officials.

“The objective of this project is to produce adequate pulses to meet the people's requirements. We need to ensure that satisfactory irrigation systems are in place in rain-fed areas for the cultivation of pulses. Further production will check the price hike of pulses. Non-governmental organisations and self-help groups will need to be involved in this project,” said the Malda DM, Mr Sridhar Ghosh.

The administration has planned to seize the initiative in cultivating various pulses in new areas beginning in the upcoming Kharif season. At the meeting held yesterday, the PAO, RK Das, said: “Due to the scarcity of rain and the late monsoon, the cultivation of pulses will be delayed until the Kharif season. To ensure more successful pulse cultivation, improved irrigation is required in the rain-fed zones in this district.”

According to him, after cyclone Alia the district did not receive adequate rain for the cultivation of aman paddy.

“Many farmers could not prepare seedbeds for aman cultivation due to the scarcity of rain. The district has 1.54 lakh ha land for aman cultivation but the district does not have adequate irrigation systems in all cultivated lands,” said Mr Das. The PAO has also reported to the directorate: “The district usually receives 419.7 mm rain from January to June but this year the district has received only 274.5mm rain from January. The shortfall is 145.2mm.” The district receives on average 229.4 mm rainfall in June but Malda has received only 26.1 mm so far. The temperature in air and soil usually varies from 36.2 to 39.1 degrees celsius. But this year, the temperature measured down to 5 cm depth, has been recorded as 41 to 42 degrees Celsius.