Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) The agriculture ministry has advocated “meticulous planning for rabi and summer crops” to make up for the shortage in farm yield in the kharif season this year.
“In order to compensate for the loss of production during kharif 2009, advance and meticulous planning for rabi and summer crops has become crucial to cover up kharif deficit,” says a recent report, Drought Management Strategies - 2009, prepared by the National Rainfed Area Authority under the agriculture ministry.

“Improved technology for rabi including resource conservation technology for enhancing production and profitability of wheat and other rabi crops, promotion of winter maize and improved technology for rabi/summer rice will need more focussed attention,” the report said.

With the monsoon set to withdraw in north-west India, the government says the success of kharif, pre-rabi and rabi planning will largely depend on how issues like irrigation and economic condition of farmers are addressed.

The problem of the low water level in the 81 major reservoirs that provide drinking water, irrigation water and generating electricity should be addressed to ensure the success of kharif, pre-rabi and rabi planning, said the report.

Another issue that needs to be looked at, it said, is the poor economic condition of farmers that will impact additional investment in re-sowing or re-planting.

“Success of good harvest of kharif crop and rabi sowing particularly in rain-fed regions will depend largely upon short-term measures,” the report said.