The low pressure-induced torrential rains across the State have further brightened the prospects of a bumper kharif crop for the second consecutive year The low pressure-induced torrential rains across the State have further brightened the prospects of a bumper kharif crop for the second consecutive year. Prior to the current spell of rains, several southern and western districts were experiencing moisture-stress conditions leading to fear of crop loss. Gajapati, Rayagada, Nuapada, parts of Ganjam and Padmapur block of Bargarh district were facing prolonged dry spell. The much-needed current spell of rains have brought relief to the farmers as early varieties of paddy crops are in bootleaf to flowering stage while medium and long-duration crops are in vegetative and tillering stages. The soil condition is now more suitable to use fertiliser particularly urea which will boost growth and prodcutivity as well, said Agriculture Director Arabinda Padhee. The current rains will also help the hybrid varieties of maize, harvesting of which will take another two weeks. However, harvesting of the early sown maize has started, he added. As per the preliminary round, revised estimate of the Directorate of Agriculture Production, the anticipated production of rice is projected at 70 lakh tonnes (about 11 million tonnes paddy), while the total foodgrain (including pulses) production is kept at 80 lakh tonnes. The State registered a record foodgrain production of 92 lakh tonnes during the last kharif and rabi. Accordingly, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has made a projection to procure 30 lakh tonnes of rice as against the 22 lakh tonnes target last year. While the demand for fertiliser is rising, the State is in a comfortable position as far as urea stock is concerned. The urea stock in the state as on August 31 was 27,000 tonnes and the Centre has recently released another 30,000 tonnes. The current spell of rains will further boost the sale of urea, Padhee said. Although the pest attack was reported from a few areas, the situation will improve after this rain. Field staff of the Agriculture Department are pressed into service wherever there is report of pest attack, he said.