Saurashtra Rainfall News - has got only 6% rainfall till now

5th July 2011, Tuesday - It rained in parts Districts of Saurashtra, including Rajkot, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Amreli and Bhavnagar.

Saurashtra region has received only 6.13 per cent of its average annual rainfall till July 5 according to the disaster management authority which is not enough to begin agricultural operations in the region.

Junagadh Districts and Porbandar Districts have received good rainfall in comparison with other districts.

Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at few places in all the districts of Saurashtra region, Diu and isolated places in Kutch district.

Weather officials said rainfall activity would increase in the next two days.

The worst-hit districts are Bhavnagar and Surendranagar, which hardly received 11 mm rainfall till date in this season.

According to flood control room officials, on Wednesday, major rainfall was reported in Vanthali (22 mm), Savarkundla(12 mm), Visavadar (7 mm), Amreli (3 mm), Junagadh (3 mm). On Tuesday evening, the first showers lashed Rajkot city and 20 mm rainfall was recorded.

Kesar Keri Talala Junagadh Amreli District News Gujarat India

Is the only agriculture product from Gujarat to get registered with Geographical Indication Registry?

Alike Darjeeling tea or Solapar chaddar, Kesar mango from Talala Gir will soon have its own identity.

The luscious fruit is all set for registration with the Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) of India, which conveys assurance of quality and distinctiveness — essentially attributed to the place of its origin in a defined geographical locality.

Kesar mango will be the first agricultural produce from Gujarat and the second mango variety in India (Dussheri from Uttar Pradesh being the first), to get this registration. Post-registration, villagers in a total of eight talukas across Junagadh Districts and Amreli districts in the periphery of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary will be able to reap the benefits of added value attached to their produce. Talala, Keshod, Vanthali, Una, Kodinar and Mangrol talukas are the main centers for Kesar in Junagadh district, while for Amreli; the centers are Dhari and Khambha.

Kesar Mango cultivation in Gir started about a century ago. In the past 100 years, the region has emerged as the hub of this fruit. Namely, the Gujarat government will bear all the registration charges for which the preparations are in the final stages by the Junagadh Agriculture University (JAU), with the help of the Agriculture Market Produce Yards of the various centers.

Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) has been preparing a presentation with scientific documents, mainly on the origin and characteristics of the fruit, such as its nutrient value, flavor, size, shape and color. APMCs across the two districts will do the registrations for the farmers.

Only registered farmers can avail the benefits. Once GIR, located at Chennai, gives the go-ahead to the presentation, JAU will work on the logo for Kesar Keri. Only cultivators from the eight talukas of Gir will be able to use the logo, which will add value to their product. “The GI will give an edge to the cultivators. It can get the fruit recognition and quality assurance, which will result in better returns to the farmers through export in other states as well as the international market. Presentation papers are in the final stages,” said a senior JAU official. Kesar is among the most expensive varieties of mangoes. Valjibhai Patel, a cultivator from Talala in Junagadh district, said: “Many a times, a regular variety has been sold in the market in the name of Kesar.

But the registration will assure that there are no duplications. This will boost our chances of export.” So far, Gujarat has obtained registration for furniture from Sankheda, agates from Cambay, Kutch embroidery and Tangaliya shawls.

Junagadh District Monsoon Saurastra Kathiyavad Gujarat India

Incessant rainfall in Junagadh district in the last 48 hours has disrupted normal life. On Wednesday, the first casualties were reported with the district officials declaring two persons missing, who are feared dead.

The water levels in all the dams have been augmented following moderate to heavy rains in the catchment areas. The sluice gates of Aambajal and Vrijmi dams have been opened to maintain the rule level, according to Flood Control Room officials.

By Tuesday evening, Mangarol, Malia, Veraval and Talala towns in Junagadh district witnessed heavy rainfall.

According to district flood control figures, Mangrol has received 305 mm rainfall followed by Malia with 285 mm, Veraval with 234 mm, Talala with 205 mm, Junagadh with 190 mm, Visavadar with 164 mm, Kodinar and Sutrapada with 155 mm each, Vanthali with 120 mm, Manawadar with 105 mm, Keshod with 102 mm, Bhesan with 100 mm, Mendarada with 55 mm and Una with 41 mm.

Heavy rains in Mangarol and Veraval has resulted in water logging in many parts of the cities.