M A I N   N E W S

Monsoon delayed, sowing likely to take a hit
Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 2
The agriculture sector is expected to be under duress due to a “less than normal” monsoon rains this year. Experts fear if the monsoon is not as strong as it normally is the first spell may be insufficient for farmers’ sowing needs.

Its arrival has already been delayed and the El Nino factor and current climatic conditions prevailing in the northwest indicate a weakened current and drought in some areas. Hot and dry conditions prevailing in the northwest currently are essentially a prerequisite for a good season. The wet and humid weather conditions may impede its progress.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said a correct picture would only be ascertained after the IMD gave its update monsoon forecast next week around June 9. The government was in touch with states to be ready with contingency plan, he said.

Official forecast is that the country is expected to have below normal rains. The arrival over Kerala has been delayed. But the IMD says conditions are becoming favourable for its onset over the southern-most tip of India and further advancement into some parts of south Arabian sea, parts of Tamil Nadu, Bay of Bengal and parts of north-eastern states during the next three or four days.

Generally, the monsoon hits Kerala by June 1. Then it heads northwards up to the Central India by June 12. The agriculture minister, who has already indicated that he would follow the Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh (the states, which he pointed out, registered 11 per cent and 16 per cent growth rates, respectively, when the countrywide percentage was less than four per cent) models while framing the country’s policies, met Gujarat agriculture minister today.

Meanwhile, for the first time, the support price announced by the Centre for different crops may specify input cost of production to bring more clarity to the amount farmers spend while producing grain for state-run procurement agencies.

Radha Mohan Singh also said the MSP for kharif crops, including paddy, would be announced by June 15.

Citing increasing input costs, farmers have been demanding an MSP as per the MS Swaminathan formula. The minister said last week that the government was working on a new formula to fix MSP to guarantee 50 per cent profits to farmers.

MSP announcement by June 15

• The support price this time may specify input cost of production to bring more clarity.
• Agriculture minister said the MSP for kharif crops, including paddy, would be announced by June 15.
• He said a new formula to fix MSP to guarantee 50 per cent profits to farmers was being worked out.
• Agriculture commission has reportedly suggested a moderate hike in the MSP of paddy by Rs 50, of pulses up to Rs 100 per quintal and of cotton Rs 50 per quintal.