News Analysis India

Tag: Drought

  • Maharashtra government takes early steps to mitigate possible drought, guides farmers for better land use

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: In view of the shortage of fodder due to scanty rainfall, the Maharashtra government has issued a resolution and asked the farmers to use the current moisture in the soil to grow the fodder in large numbers so that the state will not face fodder shortage.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had called the meeting on Friday to discuss the measures to mitigate the drought-prone situations in the state. Under the head of the respective district collector, a committee will be formed that will monitor the situation and ensure there is enough fodder for the animals.

    As per the State Government issued resolution, even though there is 100 % rainfall, the state faces a 44 % shortage of fodder while this year, the rainfall is likely to be average and below average, so there is a huge shortage of fodder for the animals.

    The returning monsoon has started while during main rainy days, the state received average rainfall and August was one of the driest months in history, therefore, the situation is quite grim. “In such situations, the groundwater level was likely to go down speedily in the coming days. Therefore, during the returning monsoon, farmers should sow the fodder crops in large numbers and later use the moisture of the soil to grow it. If this is done, then the state will meet the demand for the fodder,” stated the government resolution.

    “This year, the live water storage in state reservoirs is not at a satisfactory level so the land under irrigation will be very less. Then, the open and dry land results in drying up the moisture from the soil and reducing the groundwater table. To avoid such situations, farmers should give priority to early sowing of fodder crops. This is the right time and that should not be missed by the farmers,” reads the resolution.

    The state government has recommended farmers sow certain types of fodder crops like corn and jowar because of their utility for the animals and durability. “The state government will provide the seeds for fodder sowing. Government officials will go to the doorstep of farmers and provide them with seeds. The respective district collectors should carry out the mapping and identify the land to grow the fodder. They should also inform the divisional commissioner about the total numbers of animals and availability of fodder.”

    MUMBAI: In view of the shortage of fodder due to scanty rainfall, the Maharashtra government has issued a resolution and asked the farmers to use the current moisture in the soil to grow the fodder in large numbers so that the state will not face fodder shortage.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had called the meeting on Friday to discuss the measures to mitigate the drought-prone situations in the state. Under the head of the respective district collector, a committee will be formed that will monitor the situation and ensure there is enough fodder for the animals.

    As per the State Government issued resolution, even though there is 100 % rainfall, the state faces a 44 % shortage of fodder while this year, the rainfall is likely to be average and below average, so there is a huge shortage of fodder for the animals.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The returning monsoon has started while during main rainy days, the state received average rainfall and August was one of the driest months in history, therefore, the situation is quite grim. “In such situations, the groundwater level was likely to go down speedily in the coming days. Therefore, during the returning monsoon, farmers should sow the fodder crops in large numbers and later use the moisture of the soil to grow it. If this is done, then the state will meet the demand for the fodder,” stated the government resolution.

    “This year, the live water storage in state reservoirs is not at a satisfactory level so the land under irrigation will be very less. Then, the open and dry land results in drying up the moisture from the soil and reducing the groundwater table. To avoid such situations, farmers should give priority to early sowing of fodder crops. This is the right time and that should not be missed by the farmers,” reads the resolution.

    The state government has recommended farmers sow certain types of fodder crops like corn and jowar because of their utility for the animals and durability. “The state government will provide the seeds for fodder sowing. Government officials will go to the doorstep of farmers and provide them with seeds. The respective district collectors should carry out the mapping and identify the land to grow the fodder. They should also inform the divisional commissioner about the total numbers of animals and availability of fodder.”

  • Over 51 per cent rain deficit, Jharkhand government set to declare state as drought-hit

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: With a nearly 51 per cent rain deficit, Hemant Soren government is all set to declare Jharkhand as drought-hit. An emergency meeting was called by state agriculture minister on Tuesday during which he took a stalk of the situation and informed that a final decision will be taken within a couple of days after a discussion with the disaster management minister.

    A detailed report is being prepared in this regard, on the basis of which, the final decision will be taken by holding a meeting with senior officials of the Agriculture and Disaster Management Department.

    Agriculture Minister Badal Pratralekh said that he is very concerned about the farmers of the state and that under the Jharkhand State Fasal Rahat Yojana, 20,000 Common Service Centers of the state are assisting the farmers.

    “The next 20 days are very critical, so everyone will have to work together.”

    “An emergency meeting was called to discuss the contingency plan, diversification alternatives which farmers should adopt, was called with the senior scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of all 24 districts of Jharkhand, Vice Chancellor of Birsa Agriculture University and other senior officials relatedto agriculture and chalk out short term and long term plans to deal with it,” the Agriculture Minister said.

    “According to the advice of agricultural scientists, an awareness campaign should be launched for the farmers by preparing documents,” he added.

    “I visited Palamu Division recently and found that less than 1.5 per cent sowing was done in Garhwa, less than 0.25 per cent in Palamu and 3 per cent in Latehar. A serious crisis is likely to emerge in the State. Due to low rainfall, sowing work has not been done properly which is a matter of concern and in such a situation, farmers expect excellent examples of quality research from agricultural scientists, he said.

    According to Badal, the state has recorded 51 per cent rain deficit and 21 out of the 24 districts are the worst hit. Barring East and West Singhbhum districts, status of rainfall is scary in other districts due to which, only 22 per cent of sowing has been done in the state.

    Notably, Jharkhand has received 234.4 mm rainfall from June 1 to July 25, against the normal rainfall forecast of 467.4 mm during the period. Of the 24 districts, 17 districts are facing rain shortfalls of above 51 per cent with Chatra and Sahibganj facing the highest 79 per cent deficit.

    “Jharkhand is among the few states in the country which are facing rainfall deficit. State’s rainfall distribution is good but the quantity is very poor. Until there is a strong system, the rainfall deficit will not come down,” said Director at Ranchi Meteorological Centre Abhishek Anand.

    RANCHI: With a nearly 51 per cent rain deficit, Hemant Soren government is all set to declare Jharkhand as drought-hit. An emergency meeting was called by state agriculture minister on Tuesday during which he took a stalk of the situation and informed that a final decision will be taken within a couple of days after a discussion with the disaster management minister.

    A detailed report is being prepared in this regard, on the basis of which, the final decision will be taken by holding a meeting with senior officials of the Agriculture and Disaster Management Department.

    Agriculture Minister Badal Pratralekh said that he is very concerned about the farmers of the state and that under the Jharkhand State Fasal Rahat Yojana, 20,000 Common Service Centers of the state are assisting the farmers.

    “The next 20 days are very critical, so everyone will have to work together.”

    “An emergency meeting was called to discuss the contingency plan, diversification alternatives which farmers should adopt, was called with the senior scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of all 24 districts of Jharkhand, Vice Chancellor of Birsa Agriculture University and other senior officials related
    to agriculture and chalk out short term and long term plans to deal with it,” the Agriculture Minister said.

    “According to the advice of agricultural scientists, an awareness campaign should be launched for the farmers by preparing documents,” he added.

    “I visited Palamu Division recently and found that less than 1.5 per cent sowing was done in Garhwa, less than 0.25 per cent in Palamu and 3 per cent in Latehar. A serious crisis is likely to emerge in the State. Due to low rainfall, sowing work has not been done properly which is a matter of concern and in such a situation, farmers expect excellent examples of quality research from agricultural scientists, he said.

    According to Badal, the state has recorded 51 per cent rain deficit and 21 out of the 24 districts are the worst hit. Barring East and West Singhbhum districts, status of rainfall is scary in other districts due to which, only 22 per cent of sowing has been done in the state.

    Notably, Jharkhand has received 234.4 mm rainfall from June 1 to July 25, against the normal rainfall forecast of 467.4 mm during the period. Of the 24 districts, 17 districts are facing rain shortfalls of above 51 per cent with Chatra and Sahibganj facing the highest 79 per cent deficit.

    “Jharkhand is among the few states in the country which are facing rainfall deficit. State’s rainfall distribution is good but the quantity is very poor. Until there is a strong system, the rainfall deficit will not come down,” said Director at Ranchi Meteorological Centre Abhishek Anand.