Agriculture Minister Says, Government Fully Prepared to Tackle Any Situation Arising Out of Poor Monsoon

Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh reaffirmed government's seriousness in tackling any situation arising out of poor monsoon rains as forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department. Contingency plans are already in place, States have been suitably advised, sufficient foodstocks are in place, and quick action will be taken to tackle any situation arising out of deficient monsoon, he said.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued long-range update for monsoon, according to which the country is likely to receive 93% of the long period average rainfall.

The following is a brief on the likely monsoon situation, and steps taken and contemplated to be taken by Agriculture Ministry to tackle any situation arising out of deficient rainfall as forecast by IMD.

1. First stage operational forecast of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Southwest Monsoon rainfall in 2014 likely to be 95% + 5% of Long Period Average (LPA).

2. IMD has also indicated likelihood of El Nino which may result in rainfall deficiency especially during latter half of the monsoon.

3. IMD's long range forecast update (released on 09.06.2014) predicts:

a. Rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2014 southwest monsoon season (June to September) is likely to be below normal (90-96% of LPA).

b. Quantitatively, monsoon season rainfall for the country as a whole is likely to be 93% of the long period average with a model error of 4%.

c. Region wise, the season rainfall is likely to be 85% of LPA over North-West India, 94% of LPA over Central India, 93% of LPA over South Peninsula and 99% of LPA over North-East India all with a model error of 8 %.

d. The monthly rainfall over the country as whole is likely to be 93% of its LPA during July and 96% of LPA during August both with a model error of 9 %.

4. Storage position in major reservoirs across the country, except in Southern India, is satisfactory.

5. Against a buffer norm of about 100 lakh tonnes of rice and 170 lakh tonnes of wheat, total central pool stock as on 01.06.2014 was 206.45 lakh tonnes of rice and 415.86 lakh tonnes of wheat.

6. Crop contingency plans have been developed for 500 out of about 540 agricultural districts by Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) in collaboration with State Agricultural University (ies) and concerned State Governments, to deal with challenges posed by aberrant monsoon.

7. The following advisories have been issued to States:

a. To initiate appropriate location specific interventions in the event of aberrant monsoon situation based on district level contingency plans developed by Central Research Institute of Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA).

b. To ensure availability of seeds for meeting contingency cropping requirement in the eventuality of deficient rainfall.

c. To keep aside 10% of funds available under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for undertaking appropriate interventions to mitigate drought like situation, if any, arising out of deficient rainfall.

d. To initiate appropriate drought mitigation measures viz. construction of water harvesting structures under MGNREGA; promote agronomic practices for moisture conservation; promote cultivation of less water consuming crops; restoration of irrigation infrastructure by desilting canals; energising tubewells, replacing/repairing faulty pumps etc.

8. High Level Team shave visited agriculturally important States to obtain first-hand understanding of their preparedness for undertaking appropriate and timely measures in the eventuality of deficit/aberrant rainfall.

9. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (IACR) is organising State level interface meeting to facilitate operationalisation of district level contingency plans.

10. The multi-departmental Crop Weather Watch Group (CWWG), is meeting every week to review crop, rainfall, water storage and input availability over the country. Weekly video conference with States is also being held to provide support and advise appropriately, as and when required.

11. Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) of DAC is conducting regular assessment based on moisture stress, vegetative index, rainfall and area under sowing to measure severity level of agricultural drought at State/ district level. This will help in identifying and initiating remedial measures in advance.

12. To meet any eventualities arising out of drought and/or deficit rainfall situation, Dept. of Agriculture & Cooperation is considering following measures:

a. Introduction of Diesel Subsidy Scheme for providing protective irrigation to standing crops in the rainfall deficit areas;

b. Enhancement of ceiling on seeds subsidy under various Central schemes to partially recompense the farmer for the expenditure in resowing and/or purchasing drought tolerant variety of seeds;

c. Implementation of special scheme for rejuvenation of perennial horticulture crops under National Horticulture Mission (NHM);

d. Rescheduling of crops loans and providing interest subvention on rescheduled loans in drought affected areas;

e. Additional budget allocation under Accelerated Fodder Development Programme (AFDP) to rainfall deficit States;

f. Additional allocation under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) for drought mitigation measures;

13. States have been advised to consult the National Crisis Management Plan (CMP) on drought (2014) while managing any probable drought/rainfall deficit situation.

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