Crop Planning Based on Monthly Variation of Rainfall and Rainy Days in Kawardha District of Chhattisgarh State

Abstract

An attempt has been made to study the impact of Monthly rainfall variability and trend on crop production and productivity of different crops at Kawardha districts of Chhattisgarh state by using long term rainfall (1963-2015). Mean monthly rainfall was more in the month of August (283 mm) where as it was least in December (4 mm) in Kawardha district. The coefficient of variation was highest in the month of December (245 %) and lowest in August (33 %). The CV during July and August is less than 40 % where as it is more than 50 % but less than 60 % in June and September months. The CV is more than 100 percent in rest of the months. The CV in June month is more than 50 percent but less than 60 percent indicates that the crop operations like sowing of crops is uncertain in the month of June. July and August months have lower CV in indicating that the rainfall is stable in the months of July and August but again the CV increased in the month of September and it is around 48 percent in Kawardha districts. Low CV indicates that the rainfall variability is less during monsoon months where as other months show relatively a high value of CV i.e. more than 100 percent. About approximate 80 per cent of the total average annual rainfall concentrated in the south west monsoon and received during a short span of two to three months between June to September. Despite advance technology, still monsoonal rains influence the food grain production to a considerable extent. Kharif food grain production is adversely affected due to monsoon break or failure. This rainfall variability studies can help to plan conservation of excess water and its utilization during their peak requirement. For the purpose of crop planning the rainy days are taken into account and it also plays an important role strategic crop planning.