SLUG: IMPACT OF POOR MONSOONAurangabad: Among the eight districts of Marathwada, Aurangabad has received the lowest rainfall and is expected to witness reduction in kharif yield in the range of 20% to 50%, agriculture deparment officials concerned said on Monday.The drop in yield for legumes sown during kharif season could be more with certain pockets expected to witness nearly 70% to 80% decline in the yield. Cotton, maize, green gram, black gram and soybean are among kharif crops that have suffered some damage in some areas of the district due to deficient rainfall.As per official report, kharif crops from Vaijapur, tehsil limits of Aurangabad, Phulambri, Paithan and Gangapur have taken hit due to vagaries of monsoon. Citing official report, which is based on field surveys, agricultural superintendent officer for Aurangabad division S K Divekar on Monday said that the frequent long dry-spells caused stress to kharif crops.“The dry spells were too long for the crops to grow properly during different stages especially in July. While we have put conservative estimates about losses due to deficient monsoon, the actual decline in yield would be known during harvest only,” he said.As per official report, no other major drop in kharif yield is projected in other seven districts of Marathwada. “According to survey, average 20% to 50% decline in kharif production is imminent in parts of Aurangabad district for cotton and maize, while green gram and black gram could suffer drop in yield up to 80% in certain pockets,” he said.As per official report, Vaijapur taluka is expected to witness reduction in the yield of cotton and maize spread over total 40,505 hectare with fields from nearly 137 villages getting affected due to poor run of monsoon.Gangapur, another taluka that has received relatively low rainfall in the region, has distressed crops spread over 9,283 hectare in 68 villages. Cotton and maize production is expected go down by 50% in the affected areas, whereas green gram yield is to suffer up to 80% drop in yield.From Sillod taluka, agricultural area spread over 2,905 hectare from 14 villages have been affected due to deficient Monsoon. As per official estimate, cotton crop will decline by around 35% to 40%, whereas maize production will take dip by 30% to 40%.Paithan taluka, which is the belt for production of green and black grams, will witness drop in yield by 60% to 70% for these legumes. In addition, production of soybean and maize is expected to go down by 50%, while cotton farmers will have to bear with nearly 40% decline in output.Tehsil limits of Aurangabad are expected to witness drop of nearly 20% to 30% for both these crops. “Among other affected areas, Khultabad has 22 villages where Maize production would go down by 30% to 40%,” authorities concerned said.As per official report, kharif crops from Kannad and Soyagaon talukas of Aurangabad district are not expected to any major productivity loss with intermittent light to medium showers proving lifeline for cotton, maize and other crops.As per official record, Aurangabad district has received average 339 mm rainfall so far, which accounts for 76% of expected showers. The current deficit of nearly 24% was much high prior to the revival of monsoon by mid of current month.Aurangabad district has a total of 65 revenue circles of which as many as 30 have received expected rainfall in the range of 50% to 70%.

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