Agriculture Ministry plans to counter impact of weak monsoon

30 Apr 2014 Evaluate

As monsoon rainfall is likely to be weak this year, the agriculture ministry is making unprecedented preparations to make sure that food production will not badly hit by the weather. At Present, chief officials of the Agriculture Ministry are on state tours and are consulting with farmers on drought preparedness. However, in the previous year, agriculture ministry did not take any action even after the month of June went without rain. The Ministry is working hard to counter impact of weak monsoon rains amid concerns that inflation may remain sticky in the current financial year as a possible El Nino effect on the monsoon is likely to push up food prices and geopolitical uncertainties are also expected to pump up global commodity rates.

The Agriculture Ministry has also planned to suggest farmers to use of seeds that are less water intensive as well as contingency plans. Agriculture Commissioner JS Sandhu has asserted that Ministry’s plan include recommending short-duration crops in some regions and planting of Basmati, which needs lesser water than regular grades of rice. Further, he added that states will be recommended to coordinate with different departments like irrigation and power to ensure supply of canal water and electricity.

Over the past four months, retail prices of pulses and rice have already risen 10% to 27% from a year earlier due to unseasonal rain and hailstorms.  On commodity wise, prices of urad dal has increased from Rs 41,000 per tonne to Rs 45,000 per tonne in last four months, while prices of yellow peas have gone up to Rs 30,000 per tonne from Rs 26,500 per tonne.

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