Rainfall activity over parts of central India and parts of southern peninsula during the last week may have brought some relief to the standing kharif crop, but the drought situation across the country has deteriorated with 278 districts being declared affected. This means more than 45 per cent of total districts in the country are facing a drought-like situation.

Going a step ahead of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, NCP leader and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has urged all MPs to devote a higher share of their MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds for irrigation and drought-proofing works in their respective constituencies.

Kochi, Aug. 25 Vadakkencherry Padasekhara Samithi, which is concentrating on organic paddy cultivation in Palakkad and Kuttanad, has requested the Union Agriculture Ministry to lift the blanket ban on rice exports.

Samba: Even as Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir has accepted that the farm sector had suffered a loss of more than Rs 406 crore due to the failed monsoon, farmers of Samba district have urged the government to declare the region as drought-hit.

Devika Banerji / New Delhi August 25, 2009, 1:01 IST

The central pool of food grains is insufficient to provide for families above the poverty line (APL) who are covered by the Targetted Public Distribution System (TPDS), if they are to be all included in the proposed National Food Security Act, show data from the Planning Commission.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram recently at North Block, apprised him about the severe drought situation in the State affecting 1.26 crore families in 26 districts. Kumar also extended full support to the proposed inter-State anti-Maoist operations led by the Centre.

Gargi Parsai
NEW DELHI: Even as the number of drought-hit districts has risen to 246 in 10 States, the Centre on Wednesday declared that rice production might decline by 10 million tonnes this kharif, following a shortfall of 5.7 million hectares in paddy sowing.

Some shortfall is also expected in oilseeds and sugarcane output because of the decline in acreage.

246 districts declared affected; saving standing crop top priority, says govt.

Close to half the country is reeling under drought or drought-like situation, with the number of districts affected rising to 246, as a poor monsoon has brought 29 per cent less rainfall, damaging standing crop.

The Centre has asked the States to take a slew of measures such as eliminating bogus ration cards and strengthening the public distribution system to tackle the crisis arising out of the failed monsoon. With the failed monsoon taking a heavy toll on kharif produce, especially paddy, the Agriculture Ministry has asked State Governments to ensure food security to all.

The proposed National Food Security Act (NFSA), which aims to provide 25 kg of rice or wheat per month at Rs 3 per kg to every family below poverty line, is likely to be delayed.