Lok Sabha Question No. 3782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-16
Subject: Effect of Slow Monsoon and Deficient Rainfall
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3782

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH   JULY, 2019

## EFFECT OF SLOW MONSOON AND DEFICIENT RAINFALL

3782.  SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI  RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO  MANDLIK:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has conducted  any  assessment  on  the  slow progress of the monsoon situation, deficient rainfall and drought in the country, if so, the details thereof and the  likely  impact  of  slow    monsoon    or    deficient    rainfall    on  agriculture  and  agricultural production in the country;
- (b) whether    the    Government    has  estimated  the  number  of  districts  that  have  been affected  due  to  drought,  lack  of sufficient rainfall and depleting underground water and if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (c) whether sowing of Kharif crops is likely to be delayed due to late arrival of monsoon and if so, the details thereof along with the likely impact on Kharif crops;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to counter the deficient rainfall in different parts of the country;
- (e) whether  the  situation  is  grim particularly  in  western  region  of  the country, if so, the details thereof and the corrective  measures  taken  by  the Government in this regard; and
- (f) whether the Government intends to release any financial package to help such States and if so, the details thereof along with the details of funds to be allocated?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a): As per second India Meteorological Department (IMD) Long Range Forecast, released on 31.05.2019, rainfall over the country as a whole for the 2019 South-West Monsoon Season (June  to  September)  is  likely  to  be  NORMAL  (96%  to  104%  of  the  Long  Period  Average). Recently, there has been  progress in the advance of Monsoon which was initially slow.

(b): As  per  the  provisions  of  Drought  Manual,  2016,  the  responsibility  of  declaration  of drought  rests  with  the  States.  However,  no  State  Government  has  requested  for  financial assistance from NDRF during the current Kharif 2019 season.

(c): The area coverage under Kharif crops 2019 has increased significantly during this week due to good improvement in monsoon/rainfall, in comparison to last week.  The sowing of Kharif crops will continue upto first fortnight of August.

(d): Advisories have been issued to all States/Union Territories before the onset of Monsoon 2019  season  for  reviewing  the  States'  preparedness  in  managing  any  weather  related contingency  for  mitigating  the  adverse  impacts  of  an  aberrant  monsoon.  They  have  been advised to update/fine-tune the District Agriculture Contingency Plans; to tie-up the availability of seeds and other inputs for implementing the Contingency Plans; to select suitable crops and cultivars  for  promoting  less  water  consuming  crops;  to  promote  agronomic  practices  for conservation of moisture; to make necessary arrangements for life saving irrigation;  to restore irrigation infrastructure; to make use of technological interventions towards water conservation; to  extend  support  to  farmers  in  the  form  of  inputs,  credit  &  extension  and  to  sensitize  field functionaries  of  State  Agriculture  Departments  for  effective  implementation  of  contingency measures. Progress of Monsoon and Area coverage etc. are monitored weekly through Crop Weather  Watch  Group  meetings  as  well  as  video  conferencing,  advising  the  States  to  take steps  according  to  the  prevailing  situation.  District  Agriculture  Contingency  Plans  for  648 districts have been prepared by Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture (CRIDA) to mitigate the situation in drought affected areas. There is a provision of distribution of seeds of contingency crops such as pulses, millets, oilseeds, which are drought hardy and survive with minimal available water in rain fed/ drought affected areas under National Food Security Mission (NFSM).

(e) & (f): As per second IMD's Long Range Forecast, released on 31.05.2019, seasonal rainfall is likely to be 94% of LPA over North-West India. In the eventuality of natural calamities, the  State  Governments  are  empowered  to  initiate  necessary  relief  measures  from  State Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF),  which  is  readily  available  with  them.  Additional  financial assistance,  over  and  above  SDRF,  is  considered  from  National  Disaster  Response  Fund (NDRF), on the receipt of Memorandum from State Governments and in accordance with extant norms and procedures.

********