Aurangabad, Nov 5:
The sowing season of Rabi crops has started. The seeds provided by the agriculture department fetched good response as 38 quintals of seeds (of different crops) have sold out through divisional agriculture extension education centre, this season. The stock of seeds have been exhausted, but the administration is trying to arrange seeds of the wheat crop, said the extension centre''s officer Rameshwar Thombre.
The seeds of different crops (and their stock) which were available at the centre include Chana (20 quintals), Jowar (6.5 quintals), Karadi or Safflower Oilseed (six quintals), Jawas or Flax Seeds (two quintals) and Kabuli Chana (three quintals). Meanwhile, the agri-university experts have recommended the farmers to complete the sowing of jowar in one week before the drop in temperature during winter, wheat before November 30 and chana before November 31.
" Instead of grieving upon the losses of the cotton crop, the farmers should go for the sowing of alternate crops," said Thombre adding that the seeds of rabi crop were available from National Seeds Corporation and Department of Agriculture.
The agriculture officials also urged the farmers to process the seeds before sowing, use fertiliser and seek the guidance of experts while spraying on them. Above all, preserve the bills, empty seeds bag and the labels on it, they said.