August 12, 2010

India sees good crop despite scanty rains in two states

Despite the lack of rain in the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand, the Agriculture Ministry is confident that overall kharif grains production would not be hampered as acreage has increased in other parts of the country.

"It is not going to dent the overall production at all. Area has increased in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh," Agriculture Secretary P K Basu said when asked about the probable impact of the deficient rain in Bihar and Jharkhand.

The secretary noted that so far, 28 out of 38 districts in Bihar have been declared drought-affected, while half of Jharkhand (12 of 24 districts) has received scanty rains.

Bihar and Jharkhand together produced 12.6 million tonnes of grains, including rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses, in 2009-10, accounting for about 6% of the country's total production.

"Half of the central team has already been sent to Bihar to gauge the situation and the other half would be send there on Thursday (Aug 12)," Basu said, adding that the ministry has not received any communication from Jharkhand government so far.

The secretary noted that there is still time to undertake sowing operation during this month if Bihar and Jharkhand get adequate rainfall.

"We are still hopeful as August is also a peak rainy month and farmers in Bihar still can undertake sowing of paddy crops," he said, adding that the states are ready with their contingency plan.