BBF and DSR techniques being used to improve yield despite dry spells and scanty rainfall, starting with Kharif season. 

 

FOLLOWING early warnings of El Nino conditions and the likelihood of erratic monsoon behaviour, Agriculture Department in Nagpur Division is focussing on cotton, rice, soybean, and tur crops along with large-scale soil moisture conservation measures. The move is part of proactive measures to prepare for a climate-resilient strategy after initial alerts were received. Umesh Ghatge,Joint Director of Agriculture, Nagpur Division, while speaking to The Hitavada said, “We have been preparing the plan since the El Nino advisory came in, with a clear focus on minimising risk to farmers.” The strategy focuses on main cash crops, where aim is to keep losses at minimum and keeping in mind food security at large.

 

The administration plans to implement intensive soil moisture conservation practices, including in-situ moisture retention, deep ploughing, contour bunding, and mulching. These measures aim to reduce evaporation losses and improve soil moisture availability during dry spells. Ghatge said, “Our objective is to conserve every possible unit of soil moisture for crop survival during rainfall gaps.” BBF system for cotton and soybean GHATGE informed that for cotton, 50 per cent of the cultivated area will be brought under the Broad Bed and Furrow (BBF) system, while 30 per cent of soybean area also adopts it.

 

It involves forming raised broad beds with furrows in between, it allows quick drainage during heavy rainfall and moisture retention during dry spells, further ensures proper plant spacing, better root aeration, and improved fertiliser efficiency by keeping nutrients concentrated in the root zone. The system is particularly effective for closely spaced crops under erratic rainfall conditions. DSR method for rice FOR RICE, 20 per cent of the area has been targeted under the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method. Traditionally,rice involves a 21-day nursery period before transplanting. If rainfall is delayed during this stage, transplantation is affected, seedlings become overaged, and yield potential declines. Under DSR, pre-treated seeds are directly sown in well-prepared fields using seed drills, eliminating the nursery stage. The crop is managed under controlled moisture conditions, with irrigation at key stages such as germination, tillering, panicle initiation, and grain filling.

 

Timely weed control through herbicides is essential. The method has already gained wide acceptance in Marathwada, where farmers are using it to cope with drought-like conditions and rainfall uncertainty.Ghatge said, DSR helps ensure timely sowing even under uncertain monsoon behaviour and reduces risk from delayed rainfall.” Yield linked to rainfall distribution OFFICIALS said yield will depend heavily on rainfall distribution this season. While BBF and DSR can support good production under scanty but well-spread rainfall, a prolonged dry spell could still reduce output significantly despite interventions.The administration expressed confidence that BBF, DSR, and soil moisture conservation measures will help sustain kharif productivity under El Nino conditions this year.