Accepting that the delayed arrival of southwest monsoon over most of central and northwest India could pose a serious problem, particularly for rice, maize and sugarcane crops, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said on Monday that Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are facing a serious situation after deficient rains in the current monsoon season.
Bihar produces rice, sugarcane and corn, while Uttar Pradesh is the top sugarcane-producing state.
Pawar said rice sowing had fallen significantly but planting of oilseeds, lentils and coarse grains had increased.
There is increase in coarse grains, pulses and oilseeds. There is substantial drop in paddy transplantation in paddy. We are quite worried, he said.
As per the latest government data, till last week, paddy ? the largest foodgrain grown during the kharif season — paddy (de-husked rice) has been sown in around 114.63 lakh hectares till July 17, almost 31 lakh hectares less than last year.
? My officers have been in constant touch with the agriculture secretaries of the state governments concerned on a weekly basis since 25 th of June.While I am confident of ensuring the macro food security of the country, I am particularly concerned about such small and marginal farmers who may face distress due to erratic behavior of monsoon in their respective villages,? Pawar said.