A Virtual Interface Meeting on Enhancing the Preparedness of Agricultural Contingencies in Kharif 2024 for Maharashtra state was organized on 05.06.2024 by ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, and Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra. Ms. S. Rukmini, Joint Secretary, Drought Management Division, MoAF&FW, GoI

Dr. V.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA; Shri Vikas Patil, Director (Extension & Training), Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra; Director (Res)/Director (Extension)/ Representatives of VNMKVV, Parbhani, Dr PDKV, Akola, MPKV, Rahuri, and KKV, Dapoli; Representatives of ICAR institutes located in Maharashtra; Scientists from ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad, AICRPDA and AICRPAM centres in Maharashtra; Additional Directors of Agriculture/Joint Directors of Agriculture of various districts, and Project Coordinators of KVKs attended the meeting.

Dr. V.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA briefed about the purpose of the meeting and also highlighted on rainfall scenario forecasted by IMD for Maharashtra state & some of the measures to be adopted to cope with weather aberrations in agriculture sector. Dr. K.V. Rao, Head, DRM, CRIDA presented the monsoon situation – 2024 for the country and Maharashtra in particular, and implications of likely above-normal monsoon scenario on different sectors of agriculture. He further stressed on the need to ensure timely availability of different inputs including seeds of different crops.

Sh. Vikas Patil, Director (Extension & Training) appraised on kharif programme plan in terms of major crops to be grown and the targeted areas during kharif 2024, availability of inputs and crop monitoring programmes initiated in Maharashtra. He also informed that sufficient quantity of seed of different crops is available except for cotton and pigeonpea. Broad bed furrow (BBF) system is being advised in all major crops especially to pigeonpea to drain out the water in case of excess rains.

Dr. K.S. Baig, Director of Research, VNMKVV highlighted that the infestation of pink bollworm is increasing in recent years and necessary measures to be adopted. The Additional Directors of Agriculture/Joint Directors of Agriculture presented a good overview of the status as well as the alternatives to face any contingency situation. The alternative crops and varieties were also discussed during the meeting. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. H.B. Santosh, Senior Scientist, CRIDA, Hyderabad.