Accepting that southwest monsoon has been inadequate in several parts of the country, mainly in the northwest regions, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said that the centre is prepared to make additional seeds available to states in case sowing fails due to lack of rains.
?As of now adequate seeds and fertilisers have been provided to state governments. However, in case sowing fails in areas where it had been completed, then we will provide additional seeds,” agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said in the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to supplementaries during the Question Hour, he said problem prevailed in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh, where monsoon has been inadequate, but also expressed the hope that the situation will improve in the next few weeks. India?s southwest monsoon, crucial for millions of farmers, has been below par at most places till now. Rains have been 50% below normal in the northwest from June 1 to July 8, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The region includes the biggest grain growing states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. However, off late rainfall has shown some signs of revival over the northwest parts and also in central and western India.
IMD said the deficit in the monsoon narrowed to 8% in the week ended July 8 compared with a 29% shortfall in the previous week.
Meanwhile, in a separate reply, minister of state for agriculture KV Thomas said that many states have prepared their own contingency plans to fight poor rains. “In view of the prevalent weather conditions, the states have drawn up a contingency crop plan for implementation, if rain is delayed or not received by July 15,” Thomas said.