The state government is gearing up to face another spell of drought with prospects of good September rain dwindling. The state government is already considering creating a buffer stock for fodder in event of monsoon failure.
Crop failure is the primary concern of the state government.
Already hectic parleys are held each week to draw up a contingency plan to meet any eventuality. Dr A.P. Mishra told The Asian Age. Groundnut and cotton crops are likely to be most affected in case of failure of monsoons. Of the total 84 hectares of sown area in the state this year, groundnut is grown in at least 17.2 lakh hectares while cotton is grown in 15.8 lakh hectares. Major crops cultivated in the state include cereal grown over 21 lakh hectares, pulses eight lakh hectares, oil seeds 27 lakh hectares, bajri nine lakh hectares and castor five lakh hectares.