DROUGHT MANAGEMENT

With the bifurcation of work between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture & Cooperation) w.e.f. 23^rd February, 2002, the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation coordinates work relating to drought only. 

South West Monsoon 2002 

            As drought in the country have a direct causal relationship with the activity and coverage of Monsoons, the progress of these phenomena continues to be monitored by the Department in close collaboration with the Meteorological Department.  As reported by the India Meteorological  Department(IMD), the onset of southwest monsoon during the year 2002 over Kerala was on 29^th May, a little ahead of the normal date of onset i.e. 1^st June, 2002.  It was preceded by a good pre-monsoon activity during the months of April and May in most parts of the country.  The Monsoon advanced steadily thereafter and covered the northeastern States by normal date. 

            After a promising start, monsoon activity became sluggish in July, 2002 over most parts of the country.  Indeed, July 2002 with a –30% rainfall for the country as a whole has gone down as the driest ever July in the annals of Indian Meteorological records.  There was partial recovery in the months of July and August.    The rainfall during South-west monsoon period (1.6.2002 to 30.9.2002) for the country as a whole was 736.9 mm against the normal rainfall of 912.5 mm, with a deviation of (-19%).  The rainfall deficit  during this period in the affected States was   Andhra Pradesh (-25%),  Chhattisgarh (-16%),   Haryana (-38%),  Himachal Pradesh (-20%),  Karnataka (-37%), Kerala (-35%), Madhya Pradesh (-18%), Maharashtra (-12%), Orissa (-19%), Punjab      (-36%), Rajasthan (-64%), Tamil Nadu (-45%), Uttaranchal (-2%)  and Uttar Pradesh      (-23%).  Out of 36 meteorological sub-divisions, 15 divisions covering 44% area of the country received normal to excess rainfall and 21 divisions covering 56% area of the country received deficient/scanty rainfall in the country.  Similarly, out of 523 districts monitored by the IMD, 205 received normal to excess rainfall, 272 received deficient rainfall and 40 received scanty rainfall. In keeping with the over-all deficit for the country, these numbers also indicate the inadequacy of rainfall during the current South-west monsoon.              

            As mentioned earlier, with rains in August and September, a certain degree of revival was in evidence in certain States.  Having regard, however, to the fact that July rains are crucial to the Kharif crops, an over-all considerable loss of sown area and over-all production loss was in evidence in most States.  These are detailed in Annexure-I 

            The worst affected State, of course, is Rajasthan, which has ended up with a deficit of -64% bringing the entire area of the State in the scanty category.  The State consists of two Meteorological Sub-Divisions viz. West and East Rajasthan – both slumped to the scanty category with the former at –71% and the latter at –60%.  Even in a frequently drought affected State like Rajasthan, such figures are unprecedented. In the last five years, many parts of the State have experienced drought like situation, with the result that local eco-systems and population are under great deal of distress and have a poor capacity to withstand such disasters. 

Rainfall Position during North-East Monsoon Season (October – December): 

            Certain parts of the country, particularly Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh receive significant precipitation through North-East Monsoon. During North-East monsoon (1.10.2002 to 31.12.2002), the rainfall in  the country as a whole was 82.5 mm against normal rainfall of 123.7 mm, with a deviation of –33%.  While most of the drought affected States do not receive significant rains during the North-East monsoon, the rainfall during the period in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu normal to excess.  It must, however, be noted that the activity of North-East Monsoon was in a low key during the month of December. Despite this, rains during this period in the above States have been within normal range with Kerala receiving +32% rainfall. Again, despite normal rainfall for the State as a whole    (-9%), certain Districts in Tamil Nadu did receive deficit rainfall within this season.

Relief measures undertaken:        

            At the very first indication of erratic behaviour of South-West Monsoon, a number of initiatives were set in motion to enable the States to deal with the situation.  As the situation became clearer, these were refined and elaborated in keeping with the experience gained and in accordance with the directions and under the guidance of the Task Force on drought. The important initiatives of the Central Government may be enumerated below: 

a)      Convening of a meeting of the Agriculture and Relief Ministers of the affected States by Union Agriculture Minister.

b)      Constitution of a Task Force under the Chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister, with Finance, Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Ministers alongwith Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission as Members to lay down policies and issue guidelines to deal with drought situation.  The Task Force has so far held eight meetings.

c)      Release of second instalment of Central share of Calamity Relief Fund to affected States amounting to Rs.5788400 thousand.

d)      Requests to the State Governments to draw up Contingency Plans for alternate crops, drinking water supply and provision of fodder.

e)      Drawing up of guidelines by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for resort to short duration drought resistant crops.

f)        Direction to Railways for commencing free transportation of water, fodder and cattle grade foodgrains to the affected States, particularly Rajasthan.

g)      Provision of free foodgrains for generation of employment through the Food for Work approach, under the Special Component of the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) scheme.

h)      Deputation of Area Officers to assess the situation in various States, from time to time. Frequent visits by the Union Agriculture Minister to review the situation in the States at the highest level in some of the acutely affected States.

i)        Deputation of Central Teams to assess additional financial requirements of the States.

j)        Allocation of cattle grade feed to Rajasthan.  So far, 30,000 MTs have been allocated to the State.

k)      Approval of a scheme for Rajasthan, Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for running of goshalas through NGOs.  So far, Rs. 116600 thousand  have been sanctioned to Rajasthan and another Rs. 250000 thousand have been set aside for the purpose.

l)        Sanction of 2.40 lakh special minikits for fodder crops in Rajasthan.

m)    Issue of guidelines to States by Ministry of Water Resources to regulate outflow of water from major reservoirs and to conserve water therein.

n)      One-time drought relief increase in the procurement of various Kharif crops.

o)      Inclusion of a special 5% component in the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) for the acutely affected districts.

p)      Besides, Prime Minister announced a special package for drought relief to farmers with the following elements :-

 (i)      Extension of Agricultural Input Subsidy, normally applicable to small and marginal farmers, to other farmers for the current drought subject to a limit of 2 hectares. 

(ii)    Waiver of interest on loans for agricultural purposes by farmers in the affected areas.  This is in addition to conversion of loans/debt relief announced earlier. 

(iii)   The announcement of Prime  Minister  also included measures such as free transportation of water and fodder by Rail and augmentation of PDS which seek to liberalize the dispensation already indicated. 

(iv)  It will bear repetition that the above lists the important  initiatives of the Central Government. The Department is also coordinating the activities of various Departments of the Central Government so as to provide requisite support to the States in dealing with the situation on a continuing basis. 

q)   Special package for Rajasthan for allocation of foodgrains.

Assistance for generation of employment:           

            With the realization that, of late, the most severely affected sections (during droughts) are the landless agricultural labourers and small & marginal farmers, the main thrust of countering drought is through generation of additional employment.  It has also been the experience that the Food for Work approach is the most effective measure of providing such employment during natural calamities. At present, the main vehicle for the Food-for-Work Programme is through the Special Component of the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY). Under this component, the Central Government meets the entire cost of foodgrains with the State Government   meeting the other expenditure by dovetailing provision of suitable schemes and by utilizing relief funds. Unlike the “normal” SGRY, the implementation is with the district administration. 

            The Task Force on Drought Management has already sanctioned release of 29.74 lakh MTs of foodgrains in the first four months of the current drought as per the following details:

(Lakh MTs)

Further, the Task Force on Drought has approved in principle allocation of 21 lakh MTs of wheat for Relief employment in Rajasthan till July, 2003 at higher rates of food-grains component of wages compared to other parts of the country (5 kg. per person per day)  8 kg. per person per day in 74 worst affected blocks and 6 kg. per person per day in other blocks of the country.  This allocation will ensure generation of more than 32 crore man-days. 

            The approximate cost of foodgrains thus allocated would work out to around Rs. 28000000 thousand.  This is in addition to about 19 lakh MTs, allocated between April and July, 2002 to States which were reeling under the effects of drought of 2001.  This allocation involves Rs. 19000000 thousand of additional assistance to the States. 

            Based on the Memoranda received from the State Governments, visits of the Central Teams and the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), an assistance of Rs. 19991400 thousand  has been found admissible in the first instance till January, 2003.  This assistance is subject to adjustment of available balances in the CRF.  After such adjustment, an assistance of Rs.10542900 thousand has been released as per following details:
                                                           (Rs. in thousand)

*Note:            Rs.116600 thousand from NCCF was approved for Rajasthan for running cattle camps. 

Latest trends: 

            Droughts are along drawn out natural phenomena.  They have slow onset and a protracted course.  Thus apart from taking considerable toll of Kharif production there is also an apprehended deficit of sowing and production during the Rabi season specially in respect of oil-seeds, grams and pulses.  Management of drought and relief operations will, therefore, need to be continued in many States till the stabilizing of South-West Monsoon 2003.  Particular attention will need to be given to the State of Rajasthan during the difficult months preceding the next monsoon. 

            With a firm commitment of the Central Government at the highest level to render all necessary assistance to the States, the Department is confident of enabling the State Governments to tide over the present crisis with the least in convenience in the affected areas.

ANNEXURE-I 

Source:           Reports of the Central Teams Based on information furnished by the State Governments. 
                    *   For Major Crops only as per data maintained by National Crop  Forecasting Centre.