GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARREDQUESTION NO: 2262

ANSWERED ON: 2.03.2012

IMPACT OF LESS RAINFALL 

(a) whether there are reports indicating less rainfall during the kharif season, 2012-13 in the country; 

(b) if so, whether any action plan has been prepared by the Government to offset the adverse effects on the agricultural production on the basis of these indications; 

(c) if so, the salient features thereof; and

  (d) the measures being taken to reduce the likely adverse impact on the agricultural production in the event of less rainfall in the country?

ANSWER

(a): India Meteorological Department (IMD) is aware of monsoon forecast issued by several international agencies like National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and International Research Institute (IRI) of USA, European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) of UK and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth-Science and Technology (JAMESTEC) of Japan. None of the models except JAMESTEC show dismal monsoon for India during 2012.   

IMD is constantly monitoring forecast for 2012 southwest monsoon season from various agencies. The first long range monsoon forecast of IMD is normally issued in the second half of April every year. 

 (b) to (d): Government invariably prepares contingency plans to meet different rainfall scenarios (excessnormaldeficient) and takes necessary measures depending upon the actual rainfall situation during the southwest monsoon season. In the recently held kharif conference on 5th and 6th March, 2012, State Governments were urged that if monsoon rainfall is not upto the mark in 2012, all have to keep themselves in readiness to deal with the contingency situations.