Pune: Following the retreat of the monsoon, rabi sowing has intensified across Pune district, where abundant water availability has bolstered preparations for this crucial agricultural season.

District Agriculture Officer Sanjay Kachole reported that rabi sowing has already been completed on 56,345 hectares, effectively meeting the district’s average sowing target.

Pune district relies significantly on the rabi season, particularly after a challenging kharif season last year, where production saw a 50% decline due to insufficient rainfall.

Adverse conditions affected 128 of the district's 156 revenue circles, leading to notable crop losses. This year, however, the district has recorded exceptional rainfall, totaling 1,052.1 millimeters—122% of the average rainfall.

This has resulted in favorable soil moisture levels across talukas important for rabi cultivation.

The talukas of Baramati, Indapur, and Purandar are leading the way in rabi sowing, with a substantial share of the rabi jowar crop planted in Baramati, Shirur, and Indapur.

As per district records, the largest cultivated area for the season is dedicated to jowar, with 1,34,336 hectares, followed by wheat at 39,803 hectares, chickpea at 34,330 hectares, and maize at 16,947 hectares.

According to data, rabi sowing by taluka (excluding sugarcane) stands as follows:

• Haveli (343 ha)

• Mulshi (34 ha)

• Bhor (0 ha)

• Maval (41 ha)

• Velhe (1 ha)

• Junnar (2,260 ha)

• Khed (6,897 ha)

• Ambegaon (5,732 ha)

• Shirur (11,160 ha)

• Baramati (11,419 ha)

• Indapur (2,341 ha)

• Daund (2,902 ha), and

• Purandar (13,295 ha).