Question : SOWING OF CROPS

(a) whether the Government has taken note of shrinkage of land and delayed sowing of various crops in different agro-climatic zones, due to erratic and deficient rainfall during the current monsoon;

(b) if so, the details of such States/UTs alongwith the exact shortfall of rains in different agro-climatic zones;

(c) the estimated sown area of various crops in each State/UT at present compared to the corresponding period during the previous year, crop-wise;

(d) the likely shortfall in foodgrains production and major crops production in the country, crop-wise; and

(e) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to help the farmers to overcome the situation by rescheduling the loans, providing financial assistance etc. and switching over to other crops/varieties?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a): Yes, Madam. It is a fact that due to delayed and erratic monsoon, sowing of Kharif crops has been affected in many parts of the country.

(b) & (c): Meteorological Sub- division wise details of shortfall of rains of the States/UT`s, in different agro climatic zones, the estimated area sown under various crops as on date, compared to the corresponding period during the previous year, crop-wise, is given at Annexure.

(d) & (e): This is too early to predict any shortfall in the foodgrain/major crops production at this stage of time. However, Ministry of Agriculture circulated crop contingency plans to all the States to cope with the changing scenario due to erratic and deficient rainfall for implementation. Crop Advisories are also regularly issued to farmers through the states.

A meeting was held on 21st July, 2012 to review the Contingency Crop Planning in the States of Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan that faced the serious deficiency of rainfall. States were advised to take up effective measures to accord priority to implementation of Contingency Crop Plans under the agricultural development schemes. Meeting of Inter Ministerial Group, Crop Weather Watch Group and Video Conference meeting with all states are held every week to monitor the progress of monsoon and the rainfall pattern across states in terms of water storage, crop sowing status, supply of inputs and contingency crop planning.

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought has been constituted to expeditiously mitigate the impact of deficient rainfall. Standing instructions of RBI are available to the banks for providing financial relief to the farmers in areas affected by natural calamities including rescheduling of loans.