Page 15 - 8-1-18 mgmg JULY-DEC-17

fairly cold and dry, while summers are largely hot
and dry. The temperature starts rising during
February and reaches at the maximum in the
month of May or June. May and June are the
hottest months of the year. After mid-November
both day and night temperature drop rapidly till
January, Monsoon begins from mid-June and
retreats by end of September. The district has arid
and semi-arid climate with three distinguished
seasons i.e. kharif or summer crop (June to
September), Rabi or winter crop (October to February) and Zaid crop (March to June). The normal
annual rainfall is 585.1 mm, and total no of rainy days is 24.1. However, scanty and uneven rainfall
pattern is common. There were drought condition in every second or third year. The maximum
weekly temperature varies from 38.8 oC to 43.8oC, and minimum temperature varies from 6.3oC to
21.8oC during the year, depending upon the season of the year.

Total geographical area of the district is about 10.45 lakh ha. It is noteworthy to find that almost 70%
of the geographical area is under cultivation in the district. The coverage of forest area is almost 10%
in the district. The district has 2.9% of their land as barren land and the same may be effectively used
under various watershed projects. Pasture land forms 6.23% of geographical area and it is very
significant from the point of view of growth of animal husbandry.

It can be observed that the total rainfed area exceeds the irrigated area for 2 Talukas out of 14
Talukas but not overall for the district. Only 59.17% of total cultivated area during the year is
irrigated, and 40.82% of cultivated area is rainfed in the district. The extent of irrigation is very
limited during Kharif season, and majority of cultivation is practiced under rainfed conditions.
However, irrigation water is available for crop cultivation during Rabi and Summer season, to a
larger extent. The proportion of irrigated area to total cultivated area is only 14.63% during Kharif
season, and 31.42% during Rabi season. Further, area of 1, 61,667 hectares (about 13%) is irrigated
for cultivation during summer season in the district.

It can be observed that total sown area of the district is 9, 81,198 hectares, gross irrigated area is 5,
83,448 hectares, net irrigated area is 2,05,030 hectares and total rain fed area of the district is

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