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The Union Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Sharad Pawar briefing the press on actions being taken by the Government in view of deficient rainfall, in New Delhi on July 31, 2012. Photo © PIB |
NEW DELHI, India (NNN-Bernama) -- Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar will lead a team to drought-affected areas in four states from Aug 1 to 3 to assess the rain deficit and water scarcity situation there.
Sharad will meet with chief ministers of the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan to review the impact of rainfall deficiency on kharif crops, water and fodder availability.
Press Trust of India reported the team comprises between 10 to 12 members including the agriculture secretary, animal husbandry secretary and rural development secretary.
While India's average of rainfall deficiency is 21 per cent, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan are the hardest hit states.
Different regions in Karnataka have seen rain deficiency between 21 to 44 per cent with the maximum impact felt in the south interior parts of the state.
Western Rajasthan has received 64 per cent less rainfall in the season, while Saurashtra and Kutch regions in Gujarat are short by 78 per cent rainfall, according to weather office data.
The Karnataka government has declared drought in 142 taluks (administrative division) and announced Rs 3,500 crore (US$630 million) package to mitigate farmers' suffering.
Sowing of pulses and coarse cereals (maize, jowar and bajra) has been affected the most, with paddy cultivation area reduced by 1.8 million hectares.
The government has conceded that agricultural production in 2012-13 will be lower than last year's output. -- NNN-BERNAMA
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