To protect the standing kharif crops in States where rainfall shortage is more than 50 per cent, the Centre on Thursday announced a diesel subsidy for irrigation. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that his Ministry has also raised the subsidy ceiling to buy seeds to partially compensate farmers for resowing.
The Centre also has decided to give a special package of Rs35,000 per hectare to farmers for rejuvenation of horticultural crops in drought-hit declared areas. Announcing these measures in the Upper House, the Agriculture Minister said, “No State has declared drought yet. However, there are reports that in many places rainfall deficit is more. A decision was taken to provide diesel subsidy to farmers couple of days ago.”
He informed that a directive has been issued to State Governments that diesel subsidy be given to farmers for irrigation in areas where rainfall deficit is over 50 per cent. During the drought years in 2009 and 2012, the previous UPA Government had announced a 50 per cent diesel subsidy for farmers in rainfall deficit areas.
Noting that monsoon deficit has come down since June, the Minister said the overall deficit stood at 18 per cent as on August 8 from 40 per cent deficit in June. Water level in reservoirs is 113 per cent of last ten years’ average.“Weather reports do not give clear picture as there are places having 50 per cent rain deficit,” he said, adding his ministry has drawn up contingency plans for 520 districts.
In its second forecast, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said the southwest monsoon may be below normal, with the country likely to receive 93 per cent of the long-period average rainfall.
Besides diesel subsidy, Singh said the Centre has raised the subsidy ceiling to 50 per cent to buy seeds from the existing level to partially compensate farmers for resowing of crops in drought-declared areas. At present, seed subsidy is given in the range of Rs1,500-5,000 per quintal under the National Food Security Mission depending on the varieties of seeds.