El Nino! Govt prepares contingency plans for 580 districts

Fearing an El Nino effect on the monsoon again this year, the NaMo government has prepared a contingency plan for 580 districts to manage in case of deficient rains.

"We are ready with the contingency plan for 580 districts," said Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State for Agriculture. According to weather forecasts, monsoon is expected to arrive on time this year. It should be noted that in 2014, the country had received 12% less rainfall, which adversely impacted the production of grains, cotton and oilseeds.

In a bid to ensure minimum damage to the farmers, the Centre will also come up with a new crop insurance policy. Balyan said that the Centre will involve state governments as well in order to negate the impact of deficient rains, in case it happens.

In a bid to reach out to the farmers, the state governments will use television channels for giving out of agro-advisories. The state governments have also been asked to strategize as per monsoon forecasts.

Besides keeping fertilizers, micro nutrients and pesticides ready, the Centre has also asked them to keep adequate stocks of seeds ready. It should be noted that untimely rains in March and April damaged close to Rs 1000 crore crops and also resulted in farmers’ suicides.