Union Agriculture & Farmers
Welfare Minister, Shri radha Mohan Singh, has written a letter to the all Chief
Ministers of the States/UTs today for the review of the state of preparedness
in managing any weather related contingency if any in advance so that the
possible adverse impact of sub-par rainfall on the farmers can be mitigated.
Shri Singh in his letter mentioned that India Meteorological Department (IMD)
projected a likely rainfall of 96% (+ 5%) of the Long Period
Average during Kharif 2017 in its first stage forecast for the South-West
Monsoon. An updated forecast will be issued by IMD in June, 2017 with details
of temporal (monthly) and regional distribution of monsoon rainfall.
Shri Singh further written that 2016-17
was a very satisfactory year for the agriculture sector as a whole. The State
Governments and farmers were able to take the best advantage of a normal
monsoon to create record-breaking performance in the production of cereals,
pulses and oilseeds. Yet, the normal rainfall notwithstanding,
agricultural operations faced disruption in some States during 2016-17 on
account of drought caused by aberrant weather conditions. It would, therefore,
be helpful if a review of the state of preparedness in managing any weather
related contingency is carried out in advance so that the possible adverse
impact of sub-par rainfall, if at all, on the farmers can be mitigated.
Shri Singh also reminded the Chief
Ministers that Hon’ble Prime Minister had discussed drought
mitigation/management measures in meetings with Chief Ministers of States
affected by drought during 2015-16. Shri Singh expressed his confidence that
the administration would have made arrangements to operationalise their drought
mitigation strategies, in the event of failure of the monsoon rainfall. In
this context, Shri Singh suggested to consider carrying out a review which,
inter alia, may include the following:
(i) State
of preparedness in districts in line with the District Agricultural Contingency
Plans (availability of e.g. abiotic stress resilient seeds varieties etc.)
(ii) Progress
in the implementation of schemes under District Irrigation Plans of the Pradhan
Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
(iii) Status
of progress of water conservation/recharge/harvesting related works under
MGNREGS and water-shed management.
(iv) Establishment
and activation of Drought Management Centre at the State Headquarter and
arrangements for the monitoring of drought.
(v) Progress
in the restoration of irrigation infrastructure e.g, desiltaion of canals,
repair/energization of tube-wells and replacement/repair of faulty pumps;
repair of transformers/power lines.
(vi) Progress in the repair of
handpumps/drinking water projects.
Union Agriculture Minister further
informed that the Central Government has permitted States and UTs to earmark
25% of funds under centrally sponsored schemes as flexi-funds which,
inter-alia, could be used for mitigation of natural calamities. In addition,
expanding the coverage of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will enable
farmers to minimise risks associated with loss of production in the event of a
disaster.
Shri Singh hoped that
all necessary and advance steps are being taken by the State Governments in the
interest of the farmers.
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SS