In its bid to save standing kharif crops in the eventuality of drought and deficit rainfall, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved allocation of Rs 300 crore to provide diesel and seed subsidy.
Out of total declared amount, the CCEA has approved Rs 100 crore for implementing the diesel subsidy scheme for protective irrigation of crops. Under the scheme, 50 percent diesel subsidy will be given to farmers to supplement irrigation to protect standing kharif crops in areas where rainfall deficit is more than 50% as on July 15. It has also increased the ceiling on seed subsidy to partially re-compensate farmers for the additional expenditure incurred in re-sowing and purchasing appropriate varieties of seeds.
Further, the government has allotted Rs 150 crore under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture to implement drought mitigating interventions on perennial horticulture crops. Besides, it has approved Rs 50 crore for Accelerated Fodder Development Programme in states which are facing fodder shortages.
The CCEA has said that the Agriculture Ministry's proposal has been approved for initiating a series of farmer-friendly interventions in the wake of deficient rainfall as per IMD forecast of below average monsoon, which will help in dealing with challenges posed by delayed and aberrant monsoon. The government has stated that farmers will be better equipped to deal with challenges posed by delayed and aberrant monsoon, as state governments will be able to initiate immediate remedial measures to save standing agricultural crops and perennial orchards in rainfall deficient districts. Furthermore , farmers will be able procure seeds for contingent cropping where normal sowing window is no longer available or resowing is required. These initiatives will help in minimizing the adverse impact of deficient rainfall on agriculture production.