By IANS
Gandhinagar : Gujarat, after an extended dry spell, is witnessing a second flush of monsoon, raising farmers’ hopes of a plentiful harvest of both cotton and groundnut.
Gujarat has been having a favourable agricultural season since 2004. This is reflected in the fact that the value of the agricultural output has increased from Rs.90 billion to Rs.340 billion in 2006.
The state this year is on the threshold of achieving a landmark on the cotton front with the output expected to touch 10 million bales.
According to reports received from the districts, a total of 199 talukas or sub-districts received good rainfall in the 24 hours to Wednesday afternoon. The met office has forecast good rains over the next five days.
However, the monsoon comeback was bad news for many.
There have been nine rain-related deaths in the state in the season so far and many living in huts near riverbanks have been rendered homeless.