Rains improve prospects for rabi

NEW DELHI
: The late revival of monsoon may just have taken the edge off the drought. There has been a sharp upturn in the area under crop
cultivation since the beginning of August which bodes well for the rural economy and holds out hope for a better rabi season later this year.

Latest statistics, as of August 28, show that paddy acreage, which was worst-affected by a wayward monsoon, was 73% of normal which is up from 48.8% about a month ago.

As “normal” is an average of five years from 2004, the numbers look better when compared with last year when acreage was also below normal. Though the late revival of monsoon has eased the drought situation, the paddy deficit remains large at 60 lakh hectares. The total acreage is now 289 lakh hectares as against 358 lakh hectares last year but there has been a pick up due to late sowing in states like Orissa, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.

The deficit will be difficult to bridge — agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has spoken of a 10 million tonne production shortfall — but deficit acreage could reduce to around 40 lakh hectares.

The rains have given hope that the standing crop will be benefited, while there is relief in government that drinking water situation in cities and towns is improving. Same is the case in rural areas where groundwater had dipped and wells had run dry. Also, there was concern that farm animals would be badly affected by lack of fodder if the severe lack of rains in July had persisted in August.

The official mood remains cautious. “We will have to wait till the end of the season to see how healthy the crops are, what the yield will be. But the situation is better than what was feared a little earlier,” cabinet secretary K M Chandrashekhar told TOI. Reports were awaited on the status of the shoots in areas where cultivation has increased.

Drought remains a matter of concern with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh telling a conference on Monday, “This year, many parts of our country have reported drought-like situation. The experience has been that weaker sections tend to be worst affected. We need to step up monitoring and implementation of key welfare schemes like NREGS, Annapurna programme and old age pension scheme.”
Source::TimesofIndia