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India has drawn up district-level contingency plans and maintained ample foodgrain reserves to deal with any adverse impact of a delayed monsoon or drought, Agriculture Commissioner PK Singh said on Tuesday, even as the India Meteorological Department declared the onset of the southwest monsoon over Mumbai.
Speaking on the monsoon's impact on crop yields, Singh said district-level contingency plans have been prepared based on inputs received from the IMD and would be implemented whenever rainfall conditions require them.
“District-level contingency plans have been formulated based on the information received from the IMD…these contingency plans will be implemented wherever and whenever rainfall conditions necessitate them,” he said.
Singh noted that current conditions are similar to the El Nino of 2015 but said irrigation infrastructure has expanded significantly since then.
“Conditions are similar to the El Nino of 2015, but our irrigation infrastructure has expanded significantly since then…we have ample reserves. Stocks of rice and wheat are very healthy…we will address any shortages that arise, including through imports if necessary,” he said.
The Agriculture Commissioner said a delayed monsoon or drought often leads farmers to move towards pulse cultivation because such crops require less water and have shorter growing periods.
“A positive aspect is that if the monsoon is delayed or drought conditions emerge, farmers often shift to pulse crops. Since these are short-duration crops requiring less water…right now, the situation is such that there is a 40% rainfall deficit,” he said.
The IMD said the southwest monsoon advanced further on June 23, covering the remaining parts of the central Arabian Sea; some more parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai; the remaining parts of Telangana and Odisha; and additional parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.
According to the weather department, conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to advance into some parts of the North Arabian Sea and Gujarat, additional parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh over the next 2-3 days. The remaining parts of Jharkhand and Bihar and some parts of Uttar Pradesh are expected to receive the monsoon during the subsequent 3-4 days.
Speaking on the monsoon's impact on crop yields, Singh said district-level contingency plans have been prepared based on inputs received from the IMD and would be implemented whenever rainfall conditions require them.
“District-level contingency plans have been formulated based on the information received from the IMD…these contingency plans will be implemented wherever and whenever rainfall conditions necessitate them,” he said.
Singh noted that current conditions are similar to the El Nino of 2015 but said irrigation infrastructure has expanded significantly since then.
“Conditions are similar to the El Nino of 2015, but our irrigation infrastructure has expanded significantly since then…we have ample reserves. Stocks of rice and wheat are very healthy…we will address any shortages that arise, including through imports if necessary,” he said.
The Agriculture Commissioner said a delayed monsoon or drought often leads farmers to move towards pulse cultivation because such crops require less water and have shorter growing periods.
“A positive aspect is that if the monsoon is delayed or drought conditions emerge, farmers often shift to pulse crops. Since these are short-duration crops requiring less water…right now, the situation is such that there is a 40% rainfall deficit,” he said.
The southwest monsoon reaches Mumbai
The IMD said the southwest monsoon advanced further on June 23, covering the remaining parts of the central Arabian Sea; some more parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai; the remaining parts of Telangana and Odisha; and additional parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.
According to the weather department, conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to advance into some parts of the North Arabian Sea and Gujarat, additional parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh over the next 2-3 days. The remaining parts of Jharkhand and Bihar and some parts of Uttar Pradesh are expected to receive the monsoon during the subsequent 3-4 days.
