Panaji (Goa) The Indian Meteorological department has recorded deficit in rainfall during the month of June in Goa but State Agriculture department is upbeat over the monsoon pattern claiming that ‘scattered rains has helped the farmers to plant paddy.’

The monsoon which arrived in the first week of June, little delayed as per the usual schedule, was weak during the month with Indian Met department recording 11 per cent deficit compared to the last year.

“Goa received 803 mm of rainfall in the month of June as against 906 mm recorded in the same month last year. That amounts to a deficit of 11 per cent,” M L Sahu, Director, Indian Met department said.

Sahu said the off-shore trough current was weak in the beginning of June and picked up only during the mid of the month. “The deficit is expected to be compensated in the months of July-August,” he said.

While less rainfall is considered as a concern for the farmers, State Agriculture Director Ulhas Pai Kakode said such a rainfall patter with scattered rain helps the farmers in planting the paddy.

“There is no problem for the farmers considering the overall spread of the rain in the State. The farmers are happy when they have some dry spells which can be utilized to plant the paddy,” he said.

State agriculture department has targeted to cover 28,000 hactare area in the State under paddy cultivation, which is same to that of last year. “The farmers in Salcette, Bardez, Tiswadi have almost completed 50 per cent of their plantings while it has just began in the talukas of Pernem and Bicholim,” he said.

The areas like Canacona, which are located in the southernmost tip of the State, will go for paddy planting little late, Kakode added.

He said the incessant rain during this month can be a worry for the farmers as the fields get inundated.

Team TNV