Central government expects good rains this year
After two years of deficient rainfall, the government on Monday said monsoon this year is expected to be normal.
New Delhi: After two years of deficient rainfall, the government on Monday said monsoon this year is expected to be normal and directed states to chalk out plans to boost crop acreage and production in kharif season starting June.
“El Nino condition is declining. It is expected that La Nina condition will takeover, and will perhaps favour a good monsoon this year,” agriculture secretary Sho-bhana K. Patnaik said addressing a national conference to launch kharif campaign for the year 2016-17.
Met Department’s predictions will be out later this month, giving a clear picture of monsoon, he added. India’s foodgrain production declined to 252.02 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) from the record 265.04 million tonnes in the previous year, due to poor monsoon.
The Secretary asked the states to make advance preparation for sowing of kharif (summer) crops like rice and pulses by making availability of seeds, fertilisers and and other agricultural inputs.