Kharif Crop To Be Down 16% : Ajit Singh

Total kharif crop production this year is likely to decline by 15-16 per cent, but is likely to be more or less made up by the expected higher rabi crop, Ajit Singh, Union minister of agriculture, said here today.

He also said that relief to the farmers due to the less-than-normal rains would be in excess of Rs 500 crore.

"The final amount will be arrived at after ascertaining the total kharif loss."

Weak July rains led to a fall in sowing of about 15-20 per cent and the 18 per cent below-average rainfall has caused more damage to the crops, said Singh, while speaking at the annual general meeting and awards function of the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEAI) here in Mumbai.

"Though the extent of damage caused to the crop is yet to be ascertained, the final produce would definitely be lower this season," he said.

"The next rabi crop would be important if the rainfall for the rest of year was normal," he said. He added that relief for farmers is being worked out though the full amount is still being decided upon.

He also said that the National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India had about 4 lakh tonne of mustard in stock so there would not be much domestic shortage.

Responding to SEAI's call to bring more area under oilseeds cultivation in order to reduce India's oil import bill, he said farmers are also being encouraged to look at diversification, especially for sustenance.

It is expected that after this year's crop, due to shortage, India would need to import more edible oil than last year.

The government was looking at different measures to bring more area under oilseed cultivation such as remunerative prices for oilseed cultivation and so on, Singh said.

He also asked corporates to come forward to help the farming community so that the results would be more fruitful.