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Post Monsoon/Flood Compensatory Agriculture Production Plan 2012 Drought: Cracked Soil FLOODS Government of India Planning Commission National Rainfed Area Authority New Delhi
Transcript of Post Monsoon/Flood Compensatory Agriculture …nraa.gov.in/pdf/Compensatory Agriculture...
Post Monsoon/Flood Compensatory Agriculture Production Plan 2012
Drought: Cracked Soil
FLOODS
Government of India
Planning Commission National Rainfed Area Authority
New Delhi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S.No Content Page
Foreword List of Tables List of Figures Executive Summary
i ii iiii iv
1 Introduction 1
2 Onset of 2012 Monsoon and Its Progress 1
3 Rainfall characteristics of 2012 2
4 Withdrawal of Monsoon 4
5 Regions Showing severe Deficient Rainfall 6
6 Status of water Storage in Reservoirs 9
7 Occurrence of Floods-2012 10
8 Status of Area coverage under different Crops 18
9 Anticipated production Losses in Kharif 2012 20
10 Compensatory Production Plan During Rabi to offset Kharif Deficit
22
11 Cultivation of Aquatic Crops 32
12 Potential use of Chaurs/ Mauns for Fisheries 33
13 Management of Livestock 36
14 Management of Forestry sector 37
15 Protected Cultivations 38
16 Other measures 39
17 Micro Enterprises 39
i
Foreword
Monsoon season of 2012 witnessed unique anomalies in terms of onset and
advancement of rains, frequent breaks, overall drought in the early part of the season
with high rainfall and even floods elsewhere during the extended withdrawal phase. As
a result of that, 12.76 million tonnes reduction in the kharif food grain production in 2012
has been estimated by DAC. Damages to agricultural fields, fish ponds, crops, livestock
and wild life have been reported in the flood prone and cloud burst areas.
Compensatory production plan strategizes enhanced production in the normally sown
rabi and special boro/summer season crops particularly in the flood prone areas. High
rainfall and better soil moisture during the extended terminal part of the rainy season
2012 provides ample opportunities to improve productivity in the rainfed region. Overall,
84 major and monitored reservoirs have been filled up to 87% of the previous good
rainfall years and 106% of the past 10 years average. Same is true for millions of other
medium and small water storage structures and recharging.
The irrigation opportunities for the rabi season are quite attractive for timely sowing of
crops and efficient management of intensive inputs. The plan also recommends
necessary measures to enhance productivity of the livestock, aquaculture and aquatic
crops. Specific suggestions have been made for the land owners under Forest Rights
Act, 2006 and non-timber forest products in the tribal belts. A few suggestions have also
been made for protecting and conserving wild life especially in the flood prone areas to
sustain tourism related livelihoods.
J.S. Samra Chief Executive Officer
October 12, 2012 National Rainfed Area Authority Planning Commission
Government of India
ii
List of Tables
Table No. Title Page
1 Summary of rainfall over four homogeneous regions as on
30.09.2012
4
2 Subdivision-wise weekly rainfall distribution 7
3 Meteorological sub-divisions which experienced most severe
week wise departure of rainfall during 2012
8
4 Details of floods in the current year of 2012 11
5 Area coverage under various crops as on 28.09.2012 19
6 Estimated loss/Gain in Production of Food grains during Kharif
2012-13 (Million Tones)
21
7 Estimated loss/Gain in Production of Oilseeds and other
commercial crops during Kharif 2012-13 (Million Tones)
22
8 Major Boro rice growing districts in various States 26
9 List of Hybrids (H) and Composite (C) varieties of Maize for
different States for Rabi Season.
31
10 Recommended crops for intercropping with maize
32
iii
List of Figures
Figure No. Title Page
1 Daily Mean Rainfall (mm) over Country as a Whole (2012) 2
2 Daily Mean Rainfall (mm) in different Meteorological Sub
Division (2012)
3
3 Week-by-week rainfall departure (%) from long period average
(LPA)
5
4 Cumulative rainfall departure (%) from long period average
(LPA)
5
5 An Indian Air Force helicopter distributed relief materials in the
flood hit area in Sonitpur, Assam, India, on July 1, 2012
10
6a Floods in Assam During 2012- Brahmaputra River 12
6b Floods in Bihar During 2012 13
7 Land slide due to heavy rain 14
8 Degraded fields in Assam 15
9 Cloud Burst and flash floods in Uttarakhand 16
10 Unusual inundation of water in parts of Rajasthan 18
11 Increasing trend of Rabi maize Production and Productivity from
2001 to 2011
28
12 Area and Production of Rabi maize in different states of India 29
13 Intercropping Maize + Cabbage , Intercropping Maize + Carrot 32
14 Makhana with fish in the central space 33
15 Fish pond in water logged area with vegetables + fruits on bund 34
16 Fish trenches-cum raised bed with banana in water logged area 35
iv
Post Monsoon/Flood Compensatory Agriculture Production Plan 2012
Executive Summary
In spite of large investment into irrigation, Indian agriculture continues to be dependent
on rainfall. Onset of 2012 monsoon was near normal and further progress towards north
was halted two times, its advance into north western Indian lagged by two weeks but
was made up at the fag end. There were three breaks in monsoon and deficiency in
rainfall up to 25th July and north-west continued to be deficit. Withdrawal was also
delayed by about three weeks and deficiency was reduced to -7% with floods and cloud
bursts in many parts of the country. As a result of that kharif food grain production is
anticipated to be reduced by 12.76 million tons over good rainfall year of 2011-12
The storage of 84 monitored reservoirs was nearly 87% of last year and 106% of the
past 10 years average and provide scope of irrigation to compensate kharif production
losses in the rabi season. The monsoon ended with floods in many States. In addition to
heavy soil erosion in flood catchments, breaches in embankments, washing away of
roads, bridges, houses, cattle sheds, silt deposition in streams, agriculture fields etc.
was observed. Loss of vegetation, wild life, aquatic fauna, flora, domestic animals,
human being and crops were noteworthy
Due to drought in early parts of the monsoon, 5.84 million ha area could not be sown
for food grains, sugarcane, cotton, jute etc. during kharif 2012 with a production loss of
about 12.76 million tones over previous year of 2011-12. Losses in the production of
cash crops of cotton, sugarcane and jute have also been estimated.
In order to compensate the losses in kharif production a proactive action plan is
required to harness the potential of delayed withdrawal of rainfall which has ensured
good moisture level, sufficient ground water and good water storage in ponds and water
reservoirs. There could be two pronged strategy to enhance production in rabi and
summer / spring season. The first would be to increase productivity of rabi crops
through supply of timely quality inputs and second would be to harness the potential of
crops like rabi maize, boro rice and summer / spring oilseeds and pulses. Rabi maize is
now an established crop with yield potentials of two folds than kharif maize. It can be
successfully grown in all those regions where winter is mild and there are good irrigation
facilities. Its area needs to be expanded in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West
Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab and NE States. Investments into
ground water utilization and resource conserving technologies (RCT) would be called
v
upon. Similarly the area of oilseeds and pulses also needs to be increased in rabi
season. Good moisture levels due to delayed withdrawal of rains provide ample
opportunity to cover more area under oilseeds and pulses which are generally grown as
rainfed crops in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar,
Odisha and West Bengal.
Similarly, the productivity potential of Boro / summer rice is high in the States of Bihar,
Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, North Eastern States, Chhattisgarh and
other states. The shortfall in the rice production can be compensated to a great extent
by realizing full potential of the normally sown area and increasing the area under
Boro/summer rice. In the areas where Boro rice is normally grown has a tremendous
potential for use of good quality ground water through shallow tube wells. A concerted
effort is, therefore needed to utilize this potential through additional pump sets in the
Boro rice growing areas and supply of energy for withdrawal of water.
During the Rabi and summer seasons, enhanced water use efficiency can bring in
additional area under irrigation. In the drier areas, the use of sprinkler and drip system
of irrigation has been found to be more effective and allows higher area coverage from
the same source of water. Additional resources can be brought in through RKVY and
other programmes of Govt. of India to speed up adoption of these water saving devices.
In the States which have witnessed high rainfall resulting in flood, need special care for
animal health and wild life. Proper vaccination and supply of fodder of-farm animal can
ensure the animal health and thereby increase their productivity. The states which
suffered serious drought during the monsoon season such as Punjab, Haryana, parts of
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka may be provided with sufficient energy for
withdrawal of more ground water to ensure that the Rabi crop in these states is not
affected. In addition to on-farm activities, rural employment through MNREGA and
enterprises through promotion of Self Help Groups (SHGs) can generate supplemented
livelihood
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Post Monsoon/Flood Compensatory Agriculture Production Plan 2012
1. Introduction:
Normally the South West monsoon (SW) season extends through four months of the
calendar year viz., June, July, August and September. Out of these four months, June is
characterized by onset of monsoon over Kerala and its subsequent northwards and
westwards advance to cover various regions of the country. Rainfall in the month of July
and distribution patterns are very crucial for realizing agriculture productivity and
production. The Indian Summer Monsoon is characterized by large spatio-temporal
variability on various scales. The pattern of variability in every year is unique and is also
a major driver of providing goods and services to the people and wild life. .
During 2012 there was large variability in the dates of advance of monsoon over
different regions and also the quantum and distribution of rainfall which had a direct
bearing on the sowing operations of kharif and subsequent crops over many regions of
the country.
2. Onset of 2012 Monsoon and Its Progress:
2.1 The normal date of onset of SW monsoon over Kerala is 1st June.
2.2 In 2012 the southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on 5th of June and
covered entire Goa and some parts of Konkan on 6th June. The monsoon also
covered entire northeast India and some parts of Sub-Himalayan West
Bengal & Sikkim on the same day.
2.3 Thereafter, there was a hiatus of 6 days, during which, the off-shore trough
was feeble and the vortex also became less marked.
2.4 Again with the strengthening of the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoonal
current, monsoon advanced into most parts of peninsular India including
interior Maharashtra by 17th June. Also, due to the formation of an upper air
cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal & neighborhood, the
eastern branch advanced further during the subsequent days and covered
Vidarbha, West Bengal & Sikkim and Odisha on 19th June and Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand and Bihar on 21st June.
2.5 Thereafter, there was another interruption for about 9 days (till 30th June) due
to the shifting of the seasonal heat trough to the foot hills of Himalayas on 25th
June. A break like situation prevailed during 25th -29th June. During the period
of hiatus, systems in westerlies gave rainfall over the northeast India and the
feeble off-shore trough prevailing off the west coast gave rise to rainfall along
the west coast.
2
2.6 Due to the sluggish advance, there was a lag of nearly 2 weeks over the
west and central parts of east Uttar Pradesh for the monsoon rainfall to start.
3. Rainfall characteristics of 2012:
Day to Day Rainfall (All India and four broad geographical regions)
The average daily rainfall over the country as a whole is given in Figure1.
3.1 It is seen that during this monsoon, the daily all India rainfall was below normal
for 71 days, normal rains for seven days and above average for 44 days.
Initially there were two breaks in the rainfall around 9th June and 8th July
followed by deficit for about 8 days from July 18 to 25.
3.2 The daily rainfall over the four broad geographical regions is given in Figure 2
which indicates that daily rainfall over East and North East India remained
above normal during many days of June, whereas the daily rainfall over South
peninsular and Central India was above normal during the third week of June
3.3 The Most seriously affected region was North West India where except for one
day average rainfall was below normal till 5th of July. The rainfall breaks were
more conspicuous in north-west of India.
3
Figure 2. Daily Mean Rainfall (mm) in different Meteorological Sub Divisions (2012)
4
3.4 For the country as a whole, seasonal rainfall up to 30th September was 08%
below the long period average (LPA) with near normal rainfall over all the four
homogeneous regions as per the details given in Table 1.
Table 1. Summary of rainfall over four homogeneous regions as on 30.09.2012
3.5 .Disaggregated meteorological sub-division wise rainfall presents a different
scenario which indicates that out of 36 meteorological subdivisions, the rainfall
was normal in 23 and deficient in 13 (36%) subdivisions.
3.6 The sub-divisions having deficient rainfall are Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram
and Tripura (NMMT), Bihar, West UP, Har. CHD and Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat
region, Saurashtra & Kutch, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Tamil
Nadu & Pondicherry, North Interior Karanataka, South Interior Karnataka
and Kerala. In area-wise distribution, 67.3% area of the country received
excess/normal rainfall. Remaining 32.7% area received deficient rainfall.
3.7 Meteorological sub-division wise percent departure of rainfall on week by week
basis as well as for the cumulative percent departure of rainfall for the entire
country is given in Figure 3 and Figure 4 respectively. Figure 3 depicts week
by week departure of rainfall from LPA which indicates that except for week
ending 11th July, percent departure of rainfall from the LPA was negative till
week ending 15th of August when this departure became positive and
remained so till week ending on 19th September when it again dipped to
negative side. Cumulative rainfall for the country as a whole is given in Figure
4 which indicates that percent departure of rainfall for the country as a whole
has been negative throughout the rainy season with greater deficit in the first
part of the season. Rainfall deficit during the critical month of July leads to loss
in productivity and production of agriculture.
4. Withdrawal of Monsoon 2012: The southwest monsoon withdrew late from parts of northwest India on 24th September against its normal date 1st September. Subsequently, the southwest monsoon withdrew from most parts of northwest India and parts of Gujarat State and west Madhya Pradesh. The delayed withdrawal of rainy season led to lodging of paddy crops and lack of seed setting in pearl millet (Bajra) in certain parts of the country.
Regions Actual Rainfall (mm)
Normal Rainfall (mm)
% Departure from LPA
Country as a whole 819.5 886.9 -08
Northwest India 569.3 615.0 -07
Central India 934.6 974.2 -04
South Peninsula 644.0 715.7 -10
East & northeast India 1275.3 1437.8 -11
5
6
5. Regions Showing severe Deficient Rainfall:
5.1 The distribution of rainfall is more important especially for kharif crops than
the overall total rainfall. Table 2 presents the meteorological subdivision wise
summary of rainfall from 1.6.2012 to 30.9.2012 and number of weeks with
Excess, Normal, deficient, scanty or no rainfall from 7th June to 30th of
September 2012.
5.2 Eight meteorological sub divisions namely West UP; Saurashtra and Kutch,
Punjab, Gujarat region: Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi; Himachal Pradesh;
North Interior Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka which were most
affected subdivision did not witness more than five weeks normal to excess
rainfall during this period. However two sub divisions namely Punjab and
Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi were most seriously affected throughout the
entire season with only 2 and 3 weeks witnessing normal to excess rainfall
respectively.
5.3 Most of the sowing operations for the kharif crops start in mid June and
continue up to mid of August thus making this period most important for crop
production activities. The week by week departure of rainfall from LPA
Stating week ending on 13th June to 26th of September indicates that twelve
meteorological sub divisions namely Saurashtra & Kutch; Har. CHD & Delhi;
Punjab; West Rajasthan; East Rajasthan; East UP; West UP; Gujarat region;
Himachal Pradesh; Madhya Maharashtra; South Interior Karnataka and
Kerala were most seriously affected.
5.4 Details of weekly departure in rainfall in most affected sub-divisions are given
in Table 3 which indicates that except West Rajasthan which received normal
rainfall in the first week first six metrological sub division the rainfall was
deficient to scanty up to week ending 15th of August when most of the crops
are sown. Similarly other sub division also suffered from deficient rains. In
some of the sub division where normal rains occurred during second week of
August again followed a long dry spell thereby affecting the crop sowing.
7
Table 2. Subdivision-wise weekly rainfall distribution
S.NO. METEOROLOGICAL SUBDIVISIONS PERIOD: 01.06.2012 To 30.09.2012 Number of weeks with Rainfall as
ACTUAL NORMAL % DEP. CAT. EXCESS NORMAL DEFICIENT SCANTY NO RAINFALL
1 A & N ISLAND 2052.9 1682.5 22% N 6 3 4 3 0
2 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 1752.3 1768.0 -1 N 4 5 6 1 0
3 ASSAM & MEGHALAYA 1723.7 1792.8 -4 N 4 2 10 0 0
4 N M M T 1030.4 1496.9 -31 D 1 6 8 1 0
5 SHWB & SIKKIM 2092.3 2006.2 4 N 6 5 2 3 0
6 GANGETIC WEST BENGAL 956.8 1167.9 -18 N 3 7 4 2 0
7 ORISSA 1148.0 1149.0 0 N 4 8 4 0 0
8 JHARKHAND 936.3 1091.9 -14 N 5 4 4 3 0
9 BIHAR 814.0 1027.6 -21 D 2 3 5 6 0
10 EAST U.P. 804.6 897.6 -10 N 4 1 5 5 1
11 WEST U.P. 549.0 769.4 -29 D 2 2 6 5 1
12 UTTARAKHAND 1122.2 1229.1 -9 N 3 5 5 3 0
13 HAR. CHD & DELHI 283.0 466.3 -39 D 2 1 3 10 0
14 PUNJAB 266.0 491.9 -46 D 1 1 6 8 0
15 HIMACHAL PRADESH 698.0 825.3 -15 N 3 2 6 5 0
16 JAMMU & KASHMIR 558.8 534.6 5 N 4 6 2 4 0
17 WEST RAJASTHAN 296.4 263.2 13 N 5 2 2 7 0
18 EAST RAJASTHAN 678.1 615.8 10 N 5 2 5 4 0
19 WEST MADHYA PRADESH 996.4 876.1 14 N 5 4 3 4 0
20 EAST MADHYA PRADESH 1021.8 1051.2 -3 N 5 5 3 3 0
21 GUJARAT REGION 648.3 901.0 -28 D 3 2 5 6 0
22 SAURASHTRA & KUTCH 311.5 473.5 -34 D 3 1 3 9 0
23 KONKAN & GOA 2822.6 2914.3 -3 N 4 4 7 1 0
24 MADHYA MAHARASHTRA 543.5 729.3 -25 D 3 3 6 4 0
25 MARATHWADA 456.6 682.9 -33 D 2 5 3 6 0
26 VIDARBHA 1031.5 954.6 8 N 7 3 4 2 0
27 CHHATTISGARH 1228.7 1147.3 7 N 5 6 5 0 0
28 COASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH 655.9 581.1 13 N 6 8 2 0 0
29 TELANGANA 787.3 755.2 4 N 5 6 3 2 0
30 RAYALASEEMA 357.3 398.3 -10 N 3 4 5 4 0
31 TAMILNADU & PONDICHERRY 243.0 317.2 -23 D 2 5 4 5 0
32 COASTAL KARNATAKA 3088.5 3083.8 0 N 7 1 7 1 0
33 N. I. KARNATAKA 326.1 506.0 -36 D 2 3 7 4 0
34 S. I. KARNATAKA 508.6 660.0 -23 D 3 2 8 3 0
35 KERALA 1547.8 2039.6 -24 D 6 1 6 3 0
36 LAKSHADWEEP 1147.1 998.5 15 N 8 0 3 5 0
N= Normal, D=Deficient
8
Table 3. Meteorological sub-divisions which experienced most severe week wise departure of rainfall during 2012
S.No. WEEKS ENDING ON ---> 13
June 2012
20 June 2012
27 June 2012
04 Jul
2012
11 Jul
2012
18 Jul
2012
25 Jul
2012
01 Aug 2012
08 Aug 2012
15 Aug 2012
22 Aug 2012
29 Aug 2012
05 Sep
2012
12 Sep
2012
19 Sep
2012
26 Sep
2012 MET. SUBDIVISIONS
1 SAURASHTRA & KUTCH
-34% -38% -91% -66% -80% -75% -97% -97% -97% -84% -92% -33% 242% 297% 71% -11%
2 HAR. CHD & DELHI -92% -97% -98% -96% -30% -65% -71% -78% -80% -27% 15% 86% -20% -74% 133% -99%
3 PUNJAB -71% -95% -86% -93% -54% -63% -55% -67% -78% -44% -27% 17% -30% -59% 382% -99%
4 WEST RAJASTHAN -3% -79% -97% -99% -31% -30% -89% -86% -66% 248% 9% 141% 137% 208% 108% -97%
5 EAST RAJASTHAN -48% -24% -99% -86% 143% -58% -78% -42% -33% 170% 48% 83% 18% 96% 15% -67%
6 EAST U.P. -100% -68% -49% -96% 60% -32% 56% -37% 36% -62% -48% 5% -21% -69% 254% -99%
7 WEST U.P. -100% -74% -93% -99% 1% -55% -48% 57% -27% -48% -28% 5% -29% -67% 67% -99%
8 GUJARAT REGION -31% -44% -91% -66% -9% -47% -76% -72% -80% 97% -86% -28% 21% 165% -4% -49%
9 HIMACHAL PRADESH -70% -93% -51% -74% 8% -61% -44% -10% -33% -31% 85% 43% -46% -23% 293% -91%
10 MADHYA MAHARASHTRA
-54% -20% -73% 3% -37% -58% -23% 42% -8% 10% -75% -26% 83% 43% -72% -67%
11 S. I. KARNATAKA
-59% -14% -52% -36% -73% -39% -36% -28% 58% 9% -58% 159% 99% -21% -63% -99%
12 KERALA
-52% 24% -59% -24% -35% -77% -56% -67% -32% 30% 10% 56% 206% 29% 37% -94%
Excess
Normal
Deficient
Scanty
No Rain
9
5.5 However, district wise weekly departure of rainfall which can be seen at IMD
website1 presents a different picture as discussed above. For example in case
of East Uttar Pradesh the rainfall for the overall sub division has been
recorded as Normal but 13 districts out of 41 districts have recorded Deficient
rains. In case of Punjab the overall rainfall has been described as deficient but
in some districts like in Fatehgarh Sahib except for the first week ending 13th of
June the rainfall in all subsequent weeks has been either scanty or no rains. In
case of four districts namely Ferozepur, Moga, Nawanshahar and Taran
Taran the rainfall has been either scanty or no rains except for one week
ending 19th September which received excess rainfall. Interestingly during
this week there has been excess rainfall in all the districts of the state except
in Bathinda and Mukatsar where rainfall was recorded as deficient and in
Fatehgarh Sahib where it was scanty. The weekly distributions of rains at
district level are more important than the sub division wise rainfall as far as the
sowing of crops is concerned. Similar exercise at block level will give still a
better picture to understand the affect of rainfall on crop sowing especially in
rainfed areas like Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
5.6 Excessive draw down in ground water, lowering of submersible pump by 3-4
meters, replacing of low horse power motors with higher horse power motors
and excessive consumption of electricity /diesels oil was reported from North–
West India which otherwise is in severe condition of deficient to scanty rainfall.
6. Status of Water Storage in Reservoirs:
6.1 Central Water Commission monitors storage status of 84 important reservoirs
spread all over the country, in which 37 reservoirs have hydropower benefit
each with installed capacity of more than 60 MW. The total live storage in 84
important reservoirs in different parts of the country as on 27.09.12 was 115.8
BCM ( 75 percent of the storage capacity at FRL ).
6.2 The current year's storage is nearly 87 percent of last year's storage and 106
percent of the average of last ten years.
6.3 Out of of 84 reservoirs, 57 reservoirs reported more than 80% of normal
storage & 27 reservoirs reported 80% or below of normal storage. Out of these
27 reservoirs three have storage between 71% to 80%; five have between
1 http://www.imd.gov.in/section/hydro/dynamic/rfmaps/WeekByWeekRain.htm
http://www.imd.gov.in/section/hydro/dynamic/rfmaps/WeeklyProgress.htm
10
61%-70% five have between 51% to 60% and 14 have storage up to 50% of
Normal storage. Similar out of 37 reservoirs with significant hydropower
generation, the storage build up is less than or equal to normal in 12 reservoirs.
6.4 Other Storage Structures: In addition to the mentioned large reservoirs
described above, there are millions of small water storage structures and
ground water extracting utilities. This water should be used in most efficient and
judicious manners with least energy consumption in following ways to
compensate kharif production losses in the ensuing rabi season.
7. Occurrence of Floods-2012:
7.1 Flood Prone Area in the Country:
There are about 175 flood gauzing and 10 IMD meteorological offices for flood
forecasting in India. As per report of NDMA (2012), in India about 49.81 Million
hectare area is flood prone and on an average 10-12 Million hectare is affected
every year causing a range of miseries. India’s vulnerability to floods can be
visualized from the flood damages at current prices during 1953-2010 of Rs.8.12
Trillion (Rs.8.12 lakh Crores). Floods, soil erosion and high suspended sediments in
flood water are the major problems in the plains of Assam, Bihar, West Bengal etc.
Out of 7.8 MHA geographical area of Assam state, about 40% (3.16 MHA) is flood
prone and on an average about 12% (0.9 MHA) is affected every year. An Indian Air
Force helicopter distributing relief materials in the flood hit area in Sonitpur, Assam
is shown in Figure 5.
11
Floods and landslides caused dozens of casualties in northeastern India in late June
and early July 2012. Local media reported 80 casualties. 2.2 million People were
displaced from their homes as flooding monsoonal rains struck Northeastern India
hard. India’s Assam state has endured the worst of the flooding as the monsoon
season kicked into high gear during the last week of June.
7.2 Floods during 2012:
Moderate intensity of floods occurred during 2012 in the States of Assam (3 events
for 5 days, 3 days, 7 days). Bihar (6 events for 19 days, 5 days, 2 days, 5 days, 8
days, 15 days), Chhattisgarh (1 event for 1 day), Gujarat (2 events for 1 day, 2
days), Jharkhand (1 event for 11 days). Madhya Pradesh (1 event for 1 day), Uttar
Pradesh (3 events for 13 days, 12 days, 12 days) and West Bengal (6 events for 2
days, 6 days, 11 days, 9 days, 2 days, 10 days). Besides, cloud-burst rainfall in J&K,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim caused flash floods and loss of human
life and property in localized areas as summarized in Table 4.
Table 4. Details of floods in the current year of 2012 is given below:
As an illustration, occurrences of floods in Assam and Bihar during 2012 are depicted
in Figure 6a and 6b.
7.3. State-Wise Occurrence of Flood:
7.3. 1.Assam:
Many a times there could be 2-5 occurrences of floods in a year. In the current
year of 2012 floods came very early in the districts of Karimganj in April,
Lakhimpur in May and subsequently spread to other districts of Assam in early
S.No State Number of flood Depth above DL (m) Gauging Station
Events Days Mean Range
1 Bihar 6 54 0.46 0.08-1.00 Basua, Benibad,
Dhengraghat
2 West Bengal 6 40 0.51 0.03-1.10 Domohani, Tufanganj,
Farakka
3 U.P. 3 37 0.68 0.01-2.15 Elgin Bridge, Balrampur,
Balia
4 Assam 3 15 0.67 0.06-1.29 Guwahati
5 Jharkhand 1 11 0.96 0.25-0.96 Sahibganj
6 Gujarat 2 3 1.24 0.49-1.30 Bharuch, Wanakbori
7 Chhattisgarh 1 1 0.36 0.36 Jagdalpur
8 M.P. 1 1 1.02 1.02 Hoshangabad
12
June. Most devastating phase was observed on 24th June, 2012 due to
excessive rains between 20-27 June in the China part of the Bramhaputra
catchment and Arunachal Pradesh in India. In fact water level in the tributaries
originating from Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh crossed danger mark on 21st
June which reached Assam on 24th June. River’s water level in the Barak valley
of Assam also flowed above the danger mark during this period. This affected
13
14
15
0.935 MHA (12%) geographical and 0.27 MHA (9.6%) of net sown area in
Assam, 105 lives were lost, 4540 villages were inundated and in all nearly
2.3 million population was affected.
The flood intensity in Assam during 2012 was unprecedented and led to the
loss of even globally threatened wild life species, river embankments were
breached at 43 places, 27 landslides like the one shown in Figures 7 and 8
led to severe soil erosion and very high concentration of suspended
sediments in flood water. Landslides also caused 16 deaths of human
beings bringing the total number of deaths due to floods and slides to 121. It
also affected 0.27 million ha of crop land (9.6% of the net sown area).
The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries had breached more than 40
levees. Thousands of homes mostly made of bamboo and straw had
washed away in days of torrential rains. The floods also breached roads and
bridges and downed power lines. By July 2, 2012, the Brahmaputra River
had spilled over its banks throughout the region. Water pooled on
floodplains north and south of the river, with especially extensive areas of
flood water south of Tezpur.
While the Indian state of Assam coped with severe floods, other parts of the
country experienced monsoon rains that were lower than average, and the
dry conditions jeopardized some crops. Flood waters also submerged more
16
than 70 percent of the famous Kaziranga National Park, known for its one-
horned rhinos.
The 2012 floods in the state of Assam have caused serious damages to
forests and wildlife in the state. The Protected areas affected included (i)
Kaziranga National Park (ii) Manas National Park (iii) Dibru Saikhowa
National Park (iv) Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and (v) Rajiv Gandhi Orang
National Park. While there have been loss of infrastructure, nurseries and
plantations in many forest areas in the flood affected regions, most of the
wildlife casualties have taken place in Kaziranga National Park including
loss of animals like Rhinos, Hog Deers, Sambar, Wild Boar etc. There are
also reports of animals especially elephants straying out of national parks or
stuck within swamps. The damages to the infrastructure and plantations/
nurseries inside forest area are assessed to be about Rs.26 Cr by the State
Forest Department. Some animal have also died Figure 8.
People were just beginning to rebuild their lives after the previous wave of
floods when the third wave hit, leaving people homeless and helpless. The
deluge has left a colossal damage in its wake after it swept away lakhs of
homes, destroyed standing crop, flooded major roads and highways,
inundated farmlands and swept away lakhs of animals.
The situation in Assam, where water from the third wave of flood inundated
16 districts of the state resulted into death of 19 people and over 30 lakh
17
affected. With 10,000 cattle swept away in the flood, the livelihood of the
affected people, whose main occupation is dairy farming, has also been
severely affected. The death of animals has given rise to the fear of
diseases being spread.
At the end of third event death of 250 cows and goats and illness of another
1200 animals on 6th and 7th October was reported from lower Assam’s
Kamrup (rural) district. These deaths and illness were diagnosed due to
alkalois poisoning (feeding on unconventional fodder) and bacterial disease
of Haemorrhagic septicaemia warranting immediate vaccination of other
cattle.
7.3.2 Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh:
Starting August 4, 2012 incessant rain battered the northern states of
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, triggering landslides, cloud bursts
and flash floods (Figure 9). At least 34 people were killed and hundreds made
homeless as reported in Times of India dated 6, August 2012. A large number of
people have been affected after flash flooding of the river Bhagirathi triggered by
a cloudburst near Uttarkashi town in India's hilly Uttarakhand state. More than
200 families living near the river were evacuated. In Uttarkashi alone, 31 people
were killed and six were still missing following heavy rains," Twenty three
workers of the state-run UJVN Ltd's Assi Ganga hydel project were missing
following a cloudburst in the upper hills of Uttarkashi district have been declared
dead.
7.3.3. Maharashtra:
The torrential rains threw life out of gear and authorities had to evacuate scores
from low-lying areas. The gates of several dams had to be opened as reservoir
18
levels swelled. The damage was heaviest in Wardha district where some persons
died and some were injured due to heavy rain. In a season record, 210 mm
rainfall was recorded at Arvi in a single day, where more than 100 domestic
animals died and hundreds of houses were damaged. Four to five villages were
completely cut off. The total rainfall recorded on a single day in the district was
870.8 mm. In Arvi, the district disaster management wing erected shelters for
evacuees as more than three hundred houses got damaged or collapsed
completely due to heavy rain. A camp was set up where people got food and
other essential things.
In Amravati district also, rains claimed some lives. Thirteen gates of the Upper
Wardha dam in Morshi and nine gates of dam on Purna Vishroli in Chandur
Bazar tehsil were opened.The torrential downpour reported in the entire district
threw life out of gear. Rivers and nullahs in districts were flooded. Around 65mm
rainfall was reported from Amravati district while Warud tehsil reported 143mm
rainfall.
7.3.4. Rajasthan
Although it is a desert state frequented by drought but several villages were
inundated in Bharatput district of Rajasthan after water was released from the
Baraitha dam following heavy rainfall (Figure10). Much of the crops in the area
were also submerged in water. The flooded areas was infested with insects and
snakes, adding to the villagers' woes, many of whom moved to safer
grounds. The Rudaval- Bharatpur road was closed to traffic affecting vehicular
movement. Vehicles were using the Bayana road to navigate through the
region.
The animals and human beings moved to un-flooded raised roads,
embankments, mounds and other nearby elevated places. The uppermost need
was to ensure protection against diseases, unsafe drinking water clothing and
food till the displaced families were re-settled. The same was true for the health
of livestock and supply of safe fodder/feed to the animals. Safe disposal of dead
animal and wild life carcases was essential to prevent spread of diseases and
epidemics. Damages and insurance claims should be settled expeditiously to
rehabilitate the affected families. Damage to infrastructure should be re-stored to
ensure quick rehabilitation.
19
8. Status of Area coverage under different Crops:
Area coverage under various crops as on 28.9.2012 is given in Table 5. It can be
seen from the table that more than 58 lakh ha kharif area could not be sown in the kharif
season 2012. Crop wise details are discussed below:
Rice :The area under Rice was 367.65 lakh ha against 361.26 lakh ha Normal of
corresponding week, which is higher than the Normal area but 15.95 lakh hectare less
than last year’s area under rice. Compared to last year higher area was mainly
reported in the State of Assam (0.41 lakh ha), Bihar (2.11 lakh ha), Chhattisgarh (0.91
lakh ha), J&K (0.32 lakh ha), Madhya Pradesh (2.07 lakh ha), Punjab (1.20 lakh ha),
Uttar Pradesh (3.64 lakh ha) and Jharkhand (1.08 lakh ha) . Less area was reported in
the State of Andhra Pradesh (1.42 lakh ha), Orissa (0.18 lakh ha), Haryana (0.34 lakh
ha), Gujarat (1.02 lakh ha), Karnataka (0.76 lakh ha), Tamil Nadu (1.31 lakh ha),
Uttrakhand (0.18 lakh ha), and West Bengal (0.32 lakh ha).
20
Table 5 Area coverage under various crops as on 28.09.2012:
(lakh Hectares)
S.No Crops Normal Area
(DES)
Normal of
Corresponding week
Area Sown Increase/Decrea
se over
2012-13
2011-12
Normal of
Corresponding week
Last year 2011
1 Rice 391.01 361.26 367.65 383.60 6.39 -15.95
2 TotalCoarse Cereals (Final)
215.591 208.53 175.93 201.08 -32.60 -25.15
3 Total Pulses
106.47 106.91 101.48 112.23 -5.43 -10.75
4 Total Oilseeds 175.87 176.15 175.38 178.64 -0.77 -3.26
5 Sugarcane (Final) 47.13 47.20 52.88 50.99 5.68 1.89
6 Cotton 111.81 109.23 116.04 120.83 6.81 -4.79
7
Jute+Mesta (Raw Jute) Final
9.15 9.00 8.78 9.20 -0.22 -0.42
Total Kharif area 1057.03 1018.27 998.14
1056.57 -20.13 -58.43
Source: Ministry of Agriculture
Total Coarse Cereals: The area under Total Coarse Cereal was 175.93 lakh ha
against 208.53 lakh ha Normal of corresponding week, which is lower than the
normal of corresponding week (-32.60 lakh ha). However, the overall coarse cereals
area was -25.15 lakh ha less than last year Higher area was reported in the State of
Bihar (0.81 lakh ha),Chhattisgarh (0.22 lakh ha), Jharkhand (0.35 lakh ha), and Odisha (0.32 lakh ha). Less area was reported in the State of Gujarat (3.06 lakh ha), Haryana
(2.96 lakh ha), Karnataka (3.44 lakh ha.), Maharashtra (5.96 lakh ha), Tamil Nadu (1.07
lakh ha), Madhya Pradesh (0.74 lakh ha), Rajasthan (15.33 lakh ha) and Uttar
Pradesh (1.19 lakh ha).
21
Pluses: The total area coverage under pulses was 101.48 lakh ha against 106.91
lakh ha Normal of corresponding week, which is lower than the Normal of corresponding
week (5.43 lakh ha). Compared to last year, pulses area was about -10.75 lakh ha less.
Less area was reported in the State of Chhattisgarh (0.61 lakh ha), Gujarat (2.45 lakh
ha.) Haryana (0.30 lakh ha) , Maharashtra (2.85 lakh ha), Rajasthan (2.20 lakh ha),
Tamil Nadu (0.62 lakh ha) , Andhra Pradesh (0.37 lakh ha), and Karnataka (1.84
lakh ha), Higher area was reported in the States of Himachal Pradesh (0.13 lakh
ha),Jharkhand (1.76 lakh ha), J&K (0.13 lakh ha), Assam (0.04 lakh ha), Bihar (0.18
lakh ha),Madhya Pradesh (1.17 lakh ha), Uttar Pradesh (2.64 lakh ha) ,West Bengal
(0.30 lakh ha) and punjab (0.013 lakh ha).
Total Oilseed: The total area under Oilseed was 175.38 lakh ha against 176.15 lakh ha
Normal of corresponding week which was lower than the Normal of corresponding
week. Overall kharif oilseeds area was less (-3.26 lakh ha) than last year. Higher area
is mainly reported in the State of J&K (0.013 lakh ha), Jharkhand (0.21 lakh ha)
Rajasthan (1.50 lakh ha), Madhya Pradesh (6.0 lakh ha), Maharashtra (1.83 lakh ha) ,
Uttar Pradesh(1.44 lakh ha) ,Chattisgarh (0.09 lakh ha) and Uttarakhand (0.17 lakh ha).
Less area was reported in the State of Andhra Pradesh (2.55 lakh ha), Gujarat (4.26
lakh ha.), Karnataka (3.98 lakh ha), Tamil Nadu (0.89 lakh ha),Punjab (0.036 lakh ha),
Orissa (0.28 lakh ha) , Bihar (0.004 lakh ha) and West Bengal (0.02 lakh ha).
Cotton: In Cotton the total coverage was 116.04 lakh ha as against 109.23 lakh ha
Normal of corresponding week which is higher than the Normal of corresponding week
(6.81 lakh ha). However, this area was lower than last year’s cotton area to the tune of
-4.79 lakh ha. Higher area was reported in the State of Andhra Pradesh (5.65 Lakh ha),
Haryana (0.80 lakh ha), Maharashtra (2.81 lakh ha.) Rajasthan (0.38 lakh ha) and
Orissa (0.42 lakh ha). Less area was reported in the State of Gujarat (2.67 lakh ha),
Punjab (0.26 lakh ha.) and Madhya Pradesh (0.56 lakh ha).
9. Anticipated production Losses in Kharif 2012:
Ministry of Agriculture has anticipated a loss of kharif foodgrains production compared
to last year to the tune of 12.76 million tons (Table 6) which is 9.82 percent of the total
production of foodgrains achieved in 2011-12. However, it is noticed that production of
food grains during 2012-13 is better than the drought year of 2009-10 to the tune of
12.76 percent.
22
Table 6. Estimated loss/Gain in Production of Food grains during Kharif 2012-13
(Million Tones) Drought
Year 2009-10
4th Advance
Estimates 2011-12
First Advance Estimates 2012-13 Loss in Production in
2012-13 over 2011-12
Gain/Loss in Production in 2012-
13 over 2009-10
Crop Actual Percent Actual Percent
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Rice 75.92 91.53 85.59 -5.94 -6.49 9.67 12.74
Jowar 2.76 3.24 2.63 -0.61 -18.83 -0.13 -4.71
Bajra 6.51 10.05 6.6 -3.45 -34.33 0.09 1.38
Maize 12.29 16.22 14.89 -1.33 -8.2 2.6 21.16
Ragi 1.89 2.01 1.65 -0.36 -17.91 -0.24 -12.7
Small Millets
0.38 0.74 0.57 -0.17 -22.97 0.19 50
Coarse Cereals
23.83 32.26 26.33 -5.93 -18.38 2.5 10.49
Cereals 99.75 123.79 111.92 -11.87 -9.59 12.17 12.2
Tur 2.46 2.65 2.78 0.13 4.91 0.32 13.01
Urad 0.81 1.28 1.14 -0.14 -10.94 0.33 40.74
Moong 0.44 1.29 0.73 -0.56 -43.41 0.29 65.91
Other Kharif Pulses
0.51 0.93 0.61 -0.32 -34.41 0.1 19.61
Total Pulses
4.2 6.16 5.26 -0.9 -14.61 1.06 25.24
Total Foodgrains
103.95 129.94 117.18 -12.76 -9.82 13.23 12.73
Source: Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. Min. of Agric. (As on 24.09.2012)
Similarly production losses have also been anticipated in oilseeds (-9.64 %), Cotton (-
5.11%), Sugarcane (-6.25%). Among the oilseed crops highest reduction in production
has been anticipated in castor seed (-40.27), groundnut (-25.01%) and Sunflower (-
32.56%). (Table 7)
23
Table 7. Estimated loss/Gain in Production of Oilseeds and other commercial crops
during Kharif 2012-13
(Million Tones)
Crop Drought Year 2009-
10
4th Advance Estimates 2011-12
First Advance Estimates 2012-13
Loss in Production in 2012-13 over
2011-12
Gain/Loss in Production in 2012-13 over
2009-10
Actual Percent Actual Percent
Groundnut 3.852 5.097 3.822 -1.275 -25.01 -0.03 -0.78
Castor seed 1.009 2.339 1.397 -0.942 -40.27 0.388 38.45
Sesamum 0.588 0.821 0.758 -0.063 -7.67 0.17 28.91
Niger seed 0.1 0.1 0.087 -0.013 -13 -0.013 -13
Sunflower 0.214 0.147 0.099 -0.048 -32.65 -0.115 -53.74
Soybean 9.965 12.282 12.619 0.337 2.74 2.654 26.63
Total Kharif Oilseeds
15.729 20.787 18.783
-2.004 -9.64 3.054 19.42
Cotton # 240.22 352 334 -18 -5.11 93.78 39.04
Sugarcane (Cane)
-22.339 -6.25 43.026 14.72 292.302 357.667 335.328
Jute ## 112.3 108.91 106.23 -2.68 -2.46 -6.07 -5.41
Mesta ## 5.87 6.78 6.81 0.03 0.44 0.94 16.01 #Lakh bales of 170 kg each ## Lakh bales of 180 Kg each Source: Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. Min. of Agric. (As on 24.09.2012)
10. Compensatory Production Plan During Rabi to offset Kharif Deficit:
In order to compensate for the losses of production during kharif 2012, advance
and meticulous planning for rabi, boro and summer crops especially in flood prone
areas has become crucial to cover up kharif deficit. Preparations for pre-rabi/ rabi and
summer crops will require region specific cropping plans including identification of
suitable crops and varieties, supply of seeds and inputs and promotion of improved
agronomic, soil and water management practices. Improved technology for rabi
including Resource Conservation Technology for enhancing production and
profitability of wheat and other rabi crops. Promotion of winter maize and Rabi /
summer rice, particularly Boro-rice areas will need more focused attention.
Extra efforts for intensification of agricultural activities in normal and surplus monsoon areas/ States during ongoing kharif and ensuing rabi season for enhancing productivity assumes greater importance to capitalize on good
24
resource base to compensate for the kharif production shortfall in deficit monsoon hit areas of the country.
10.1 Strategy for Increasing Production of Rabi Crops:
At the end of extended monsoon season, rainfall has been normal and most areas
have received good rains during the extended last phase of rainfall which has
brightened the prospects of Rabi Crops. Water storage in the monitored reservoirs
and millions of other storage structures is very comfortable for providing irrigation.
The loss of production in Kharif has to be made during Rabi, highly productive boro
and summer seasons. Required strategy for Rabi Crops is given as follows:
10.1.1 Efficient Use of Water:
Water conveyance and field channels net work should be repaired,
renovated and properly maintained to minimize losses/leakage for
maximizing irrigated area.
Most energy efficient motors, engines and pumps should be installed and old
ones serviced to economize conventional energy consumption.
As far as possible piped conveyance should be used.
Proper land shaping/leveling of fields should be done
Planting and irrigation in furrow and bed system can save 20-30% of water.
Use of sprinkler/drip system of irrigation can realize more than 80%
efficiency.
Proper weed control, intercultural operations and mulching for water saving
and moisture conservation.
10.1.2 Wheat and Other Rabi Crops:
Wheat is generally grown as irrigated crop and water availability in reservoirs is quite
comfortable. Deployment of most efficient irrigation methods is necessary to cover
maximum area under irrigation. But substantial area of wheat lies in the states of
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Bundelkhand region of Uttar
Pradesh which is grown in limited supply of water. In all these states, timely sowing of
wheat is essential to harness the potential of residual moisture due to extended
withdrawal of rainfall. As a matter of strategy, the following points merit consideration:
I. Treat the seed with fungicides before sowing;
II. Sow wheat behind desi plough or use seed drills for placement of seed at
optimum depth;
III. Adopt improved varieties recommended for cultivation;
IV. Increase the seed rate by 20% if soil moisture is less than sufficient;
25
V. Apply 50% of recommended Nitrogen and full dose of Phosphorus and
Potash in soils before sowing;
Timely sowing of wheat and expansion of zero tillage technique to cover more and more
areas in the Indo-Gangetic plains of UP and Bihar is required for enhanced
productivity, water and cost saving. In UP and Bihar, zero tillage machines should
be promoted at massive scale through providing liberal subsidy for adopting
zero tillage. This will advance the sowing of wheat in otherwise traditionally late
sown conditions and help achieve higher productivity. The sowing of wheat in
States like Haryana and Punjab should preferably be done during 25th October to
25th November under timely sown condition. The old varieties like PBW 343 and
PBW 502, which have become susceptible to rust diseases, should be replaced in these
States with resistant varieties like DBW 17 and PBW 550 possessing high potential. The
situations where harvest of paddy is delayed, the early maturing wheat varieties like
PBW 373, WH 1021, PBW 509, DBW 16, UP 2425, Raj 3765, PBW 590 etc. should be
sown preferably using zero tillage drill.
10.1.3 Bring Additional Area Under Rabi Pulses and Oilseeds:
Pulses production in Kharif has been anticipated to decline by about one million
tonnes. This needs to be compensated by bringing more area under Rabi Pulses.
Concerted efforts may be made in enhancing productivity of pulses in Tal areas of
Bihar through better water and fertilizer management. Nearly 12 million ha of rice
fallow areas in eastern and central India may be targeted for pulses like chickpea,
lentil etc. together with moisture conservation measures. In acid soils of eastern
region, cultivation of pulses should be promoted with application of lime plus
recommended dose of fertilizer for enhancing production and productivity of
pulses. Rainfed rice have also shown significant response to liming in high rainfall
regions. Since the moisture level in rainfed areas are sufficient, we may encourage
farmers to plan pulses in more areas. The states where pulses area can be
increased are as follows:
Gram Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha.
Lentil Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,
Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Bihar.
Peas Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar,
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.
Area of pulses can be increased as sole crop and inter crop with mustard,
sugarcane and Rabi Oilseed Crops.
26
There is an anticipated loss of about 2.004 million tones of total oilseeds and
major loss is from Groundnut to the tune of 1.275 million tones. In order to
compensate this loss it is suggested that farmers should be encouraged to sow
Rabi groundnut especially in states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa,
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Similarly farmers may be advised also to increase
the area under toria and rapeseed & mustard especially in Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat so that anticipated loss of kharif
oilseeds is minimized.
10.2 Enhance area under Summer/Spring Pulses:
There has been about more than 40% reduction in production of moong bean in Kharif
Season. Fortunately, a prospect of moong bean area expansion is very high in the
states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab & Haryana and parts of Jharkhand and Madhya
Pradesh. Concerted efforts are needed to provide quality seed for Spring/Summer
Moong bean on higher subsidized rates than usual years as the cost of seed of moong
bean is prohibitive for small and marginal farmers. Summer/Spring moong can also be
grown with sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as inter-crop.
10.3 Boro Rice :
Boro is a mild winter season for photo-insensitive, transplanted rice cultivation with
high production potential on supplemental irrigation. This gives the farmers a chance to
grow a transition season crop which normally they could not grow. Boro rice is
cultivated in waterlogged, low-lying or medium lands with irrigation during November to
May. This type of rice has been cultivated traditionally in river basin deltas of
Bangladesh and Eastern India including Eastern U.P., Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
In these regions, water accumulates during monsoon months and cannot be drained out
in winter months. This practice is spreading even to those non-traditional areas where
irrigation is available. Boro rice system takes advantage of residual moisture after the
harvest of kharif rice. Such areas with high moisture retention capacity are low-lying
ditches where water is stored or gets accumulated, areas adjoining canals and roads,
Chaur-lands/Tal-lands, etc. With the increase in irrigation facilities, boro crop is now
being taken in areas outside its traditional boundaries and a new cropping system is
emerging.
Boro rice is relatively long duration (six month) crop as compared to kharif season (4-5 months). It, therefore requires more number of irrigations and also being non rainy season period. Fortunately boro rice cultivated areas have reliable ground water resources. Nursery especially under poly houses should be raised in November and transplanted in January. Rapid expansion of boro rice has taken place in recent years
27
in West Bengal and Bihar and is fast expanding to more areas in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, parts of Eastern U.P., Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Boro rice in India expanded from1.35 million ha (1991) to 2.95 million ha (2000), and is spreading further. Boro rice has 2-3 times higher productivity (5-6 t/ha) in deep water areas of eastern India against productivity of traditional kharif rice (1.3-2.5 t/ha). Its yield is more on account of better water management, longer duration (165-180 days), more sunshine and least infestation of pests and diseases during boro season.
Major Boro Rice Growing Areas: Boro rice is grown in Bihar, Eastern UP, West Bengal. Odisha and Assam. Important districts growing boro rice in these states is given in Table 8. In addition some boro rice is also grown in states of Tripura and Meghalaya.
Table 8. Major Boro rice growing districts in various States.
Popular Varieties: Gautam, Prabhat, IR 64,Krishna Hensa, IR-36, Joyamati, Vishnu Prasad, Jyoti Prasad, Chinsura Hybrid-3 , Sujata, Pusa 2-21, Saket-4, and some other varieties that do well under irrigated conditions. Cultural Practices: Nursery management Nursery for boro crop is sown in the last week of October to mid-November
before onset of the winter season preferably under polyhouse to protect against coldness.
Prepare the seed bed in low-lying areas near the source of irrigation or in poly houses to get healthy seedlings.
Irrigate seed beds frequently. Dust the seedlings periodically with fuelwood ash, straw ash, cattle dung ash,
etc. Cover the seedlings with a plastic sheet at night to avoid yellowing of seedlings.
Transplanting The seedlings are transplanted in mid-January to February.
STATE DISTRICTS
Bihar Purnia, Katihar, Madhepura, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Supaul, Kishan Ganj, Saharsa (Low- lying chaurs and chauri)
Eastern U.P. Ballia, Basti, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Gazippur
(Lake, river, nalaha, etc,)
West Bengal Bardwan, 24-Pargana, Nadia, Midnapur, Bankura
Orrisa Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara (Low-lying areas of coastal belt)
Assam Nawgaon, Karimganj (Lake areas)
28
Keep seedlings 18-20 cm high (75-85 days). Keep seedlings 5-6 cm in standing water. Place the seedlings 4-5 per hill at a spacing of 20x10-15 cm. Dense planting and/or higher number of seedlings are required to maintain the
plant population. Depending upon the soil condition, apply 120-150 kg N, 60-75 kg P2O5 and 50-
80 kg K2O or as recommended by the research institutes Need-based irrigations are given from groundwater sources/canals/low-lying
catchments.
Intensification of boro/summer rice with improved technology and inputs (water and fertilizer management) in Eastern India will help in obtaining additional rice production. This may also have to be incentivized by supporting low cost polyhouses and/or low plastic tunnels for raising nursery to avoid cold injury to seedlings where temperatures are low. Besides boro/summer rice in Eastern India, intensive cultivation of rice with better management and inputs should be emphasised during NE monsoon period in States like Tamil Nadu to cover up deficit production of kharif rice in north India. Appropriate provisions for supply of energy (electrical/diesel) will need to be put in place for lifting water, wherever needed.
10.4 Winter maize:
Maize is predominately a Kharif season crop but in past few years Rabi maize has
gained a significant place in total maize production in India (Figure 11). Cultivation of
maize in winter season started in mid 60s in some pockets of Bihar and South India.
Yield obtained during this season is invariably higher (>6 t/ha) than the Kharif season
yield (2-2.5 t/ha.) due to long duration of growth and least infestation of pests and
diseases. In Bihar, maize can be taken up in all the three seasons. In recent years,
significant changes have occurred in maize production and utilization due to increasing
commercial orientation of this crop and rising demand for diversified end users,
especially for feed and industrial bio fuel uses. A sizable number of districts (110
districts), in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu
have potential for growing winter maize.
Rabi maize is grown on an area of 1.2 million ha with the grain production of 5.08 million
tonnes, with an average productivity of 4.00t ha-1 (DACNET, 2012). The predominant
Rabi maize growing states are Andhra Pradesh (45.5%), Bihar (20.1%), Tamil Nadu
(9.3%), Karnataka(8.5%), Maharashtra (7.7%), West Bengal (5.3%) (Figure 12). It has
emerged as an important crop in the nontraditional season and non-traditional areas.
Cultivation during winter is becoming a common in Peninsular India (Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu), as well as in the north-eastern plains. Andhra Pradesh,
Bihar and Tamil Nadu are the three largest maize producing states with 2.322, 1.02 and
29
0.47 million tons respectively closely followed by Karnataka, Maharashtra and West
Bengal. It is also becoming popular among farmers of Punjab, Haryana and UP and
sowing is done about mid of January especially after digging of potato. However, it
needs lot of irrigation especially during April-May.
Package of Practices for Winter Maize:
Extensive work on Rabi maize has been done by Directorate of Maize Research IARI,
New Delhi and other State Agricultural Universities. The package of practices as
recommended by Directorate of Maize Research is given below:
Choice of cultivars: The success and the level of profit from Rabi crop depend to a great extent on the choice of maize hybrid/composite to be grown. Farmers should therefore be encouraged to sow only high yielding hybrids suitable for Rabi season. State wise maize hybrids and composites recommended for cultivation are listed in Table 9.
Date of Sowing: The optimum date of sowing is important for winter maize so that the genotype grown can complete its life cycle under optimum environmental conditions. Generally, sowing should be completed before the end of October, preferably by mid-October.
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Plant density and seed rate: A population of 90,000 plants/ha at harvest is desirable for realizing high grain yield in Rabi. A spacing of 60cm between rows and 18cm- 20cm between plants would provide the desired plant population density. For this purpose, 20- 22 kg of seed would be needed to sow one hectare of land. Before sowing, seed should be soaked overnight in warm (45oC at the time of seed soaking). This treatment helps in obtaining better plant stand and healthy crop. Seeds should be sown 4-5 cm deep.
Method of sowing: Winter maize can be sown by a number of methods like Raised bed planting, Zero-till planting or Transplanting which are discussed below:
o Raised bed planting: It is the best method for maize during monsoon and winter season both under excess moisture as well as limited irrigation availability conditions. Sowing should be done on the southern side of the east/west ridges/beds , which helps in good germination. Using raised bed planting technology, 20-30% irrigation water can be saved with higher productivity.
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o Zero-till planting: Maize can be successfully grown without any preparatory tillage under no-till situation with less cost of cultivation, higher profitability and better resource use efficiency. Under such condition one should ensure good soil moisture at sowing and seed and fertilizers should be placed in band using zero-till seed-cum-fertilizer planter with furrow opener as per the soil texture and field condition.
o Transplanting: Maize can be successfully cultivated by transplanting seedlings especially in north-west and eastern plain regions of the country. This practice is particularly suitable after the harvest of late paddy, early harvest of crops like sugarcane or as a companion crop with autumn sugarcane. In multiple cropping system, transplanting of maize may be practical in north-west and eastern plain to avoid delay. This is also suitable for the Diara and Tal areas where flood water recedes late. For transplanting in second fortnight of January, the nursery should be sown from November 21 to 30 to obtain higher yields than the direct late sown crop. For transplating one hectare area, 25 kg seed is to be sown in nursery of 1/10 ha as well as 7.5 kg N, 2.5 kg P205, 3.0 Kg K2O and 1.0 kg Zinc sulphate may be applied to seed beds before sowing. The seedling may be transplanted on southern slope of east west ridges or in flat fields. Transplanting on ridges gives relatively higher yield than in flat beds. First irrigation should be given immediately and second irrigation after 8-10 days of planting
Intercropping: Maize is a most versatile crop for growing inter crops, because of
the wide row it needs, providing higher income to the farmers. Short duration
varieties of pulses (pea, rajmash and other beans), most vegetables, can be
successfully intercropped with maize. The yield of pure maize and under
intercropping is in no way lower but the inter-crop is a bonus. It is also possible to
intercrop wheat with maize. Short statured varieties of maize perform better
under intercropping. The practice is particularly desirable under delayed sowing
after late harvest of rice (Table 10, Figure 13).
Irrigation: Winter maize can be planted to all those places where good irrigation
facilities exist as winter maize requires frequent irrigation during the entire crop
season. Raised bed planting system economizes the water use and more area
can be covered by adopting this system. Fortunately unutilized good quality
ground water is available in flood frequented and other areas in Eastern and
North Eastern region. Shallow tube-wells in flood prone areas should be
designed in such a way that motor / engine and pumps can be removed before
the rainy season and bore capped securely at least 2-3 meter above the ground.
Engines etc can be deployed where there is no electrification. RKVY and other
untied funds should be utilized to compensate loss in kharif production due to
faulty rainfall distribution in 2012
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Table 9 List of Hybrids (H) and Composite (C) varieties of Maize for different states for Rabi Season.
State Hybrids and Varieties
Punjab H: PMH 3, PMH-1 , Buland, Sheetal , Pro 311, Bio 9681, NK 61, Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324,HM11,HM8
Haryana H: PMH 3, Buland, ,HM 5, NK 61, Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324,HM11,HM2,HM1,HM8
Uttar Pradesh H: PMH 3, Buland, Pro Agro 4212, Pro 311, Bio 9681, NK 61,Seed Tech 2324,HM8
Rajasthan H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324, HM8
M.P H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324
Gujarat H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324 C: G M 3, Ganga safed 2
Andhra Pradesh H: The late maturing hybrids of Kharif e.g. Kargil 900 M, Seed Tech 2324, Pro 311, Bio 9681, Pioneer 30 v 92, Prabal, 30 V 92, 900 M
Tamil Nadu H: COHM 5, Prabal , Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324, 30 V 92, 900 M
Maharashtra H: Prabal, Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324, 30 V 92, 900 M
Karnataka H: Nithya Shree, DMH 1, DMH 2, 900 M, Bio 9681, Prabal, Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324 C: NAC 6004, 30 V 92
Bihar H: Rajendra Hybrid 2, Rajendra Hybrid 1, Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324, 30 V 92, 900 M C: Hemant, Suwan & Lakshmi
Jharkhand H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324 C: Suwan
Odisha H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324 , PAC 705
West Bengal H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324
Himachal Pradesh H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324
NEH Region H: Pro 311, Bio 9681, Seed Tech 2324 C: NLD white
Chhattisgarh H: PEHM 1, Pioneer 30 V 92 & 30 R 26, Bio 9681, Pro 4640 & 4643, 900 M
Assam C: NLD white
* H: Hybrids; *C: Composites
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Table 10. Recommended crops for intercropping with maize
10.5 Cultivation of Aquatic Crops:
The floodplains, wetlands and seasonally water logged areas of the eastern region in
North Bihar, West Bengal and Assam have promising potential for cultivation of aquatic
crops like Makhana (Euryale furixSalisb.) also called fox nut & gorgon fruit, Singhara
(water chestnut and buffalonut) and some special vegetables. These are widely
cultivated in fresh water lakes/bodies. Makhana could be cultivated in such water
logged areas in flood plains with shallow water depth (greater than 0.60m). Makhana
S.No State Recommended Crops
1 North-western Region (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi & Western U.P)
Pea, Rajmash, Lentil
2 North-eastern Region (Bihar, Eastern U.P, Orissa, West Bengal & NE Region
Pea, Rajmash, Potato, Lentil) Bakla & Onion
3 Southern Region (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu)
Fenugreek (Methi), Corriander, Sunflower & Cluster beans
4 Central Region (Rajasthan, M.P & Gujarat)
Pea, Lentil, Onion, Garlic & Methi
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can be transplanted in second week of April and harvested by the second week of
August. Makhana-cum-fish in ponds along with horticultural components (fruits and
vegetables on the Bunds) helps in maximising the profit of the farmers than the
conventional methods of growing Makhana alone. The fish can be integrated with
Makhana by forming central or lateral space system in Makhana growing ponds. The
Singhara seeds are sown in shallow water and their cuttings are then transplanted in
another parts of the ponds which is clear of weeds. Singhara can be cultivated by
natural seeding from previous crops and/or by preparation and transplanting of
seedlings. Fish could also be integrated with Singhara (Figure 14.)
10.6 Potential use of Chaurs/Mauns for Fisheries:
A substantial area in the flood plains of eastern region remains water congested or
water logged where water stagnates for a long period. Chaurs (saucer shaped lakes
with water depressions of 0.5m to 4.0 m depth) and ox-bow lakes, popularly known as
Mauns are pre-dominant in floodplains of Bihar, West Bengal, Eastern UP and Assam.
In Bihar alone, about 2 lakh ha is under Chaurs and nearly 7,300 ha under Mauns.
Such areas usually remain under-utilised or unutilised. These flood plains have the
potential to yield upto about 2.0 – 2.5 t/ha/yr in semi intensive culture system with
suitable technological interventions. Chaurs can be suitably stocked with fingerlings of
India major carps. Similarly the potential ofMauns could also be exploited through
capture fisheries and adopting cage and pen culture. Therefore, the floodplain lakes
locally known as Chaurs, Mauns, Beals, Tals in Ganga-Brahmputra basin not only offer
tremendous potential in development of fisheries but also play an important role in
socio-economics of the region as a whole.
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10.7 Fish based farming system for productive utilization of waterlogged areas
Fish based farming system of integrating fishery with crops, horticulture and livestock
has shown rich dividends and promising opportunity for harnessing water use potential
of flood affected areas in the eastern India in the several studies conducted by ICAR
Institutes and SAUs (Figures 15 & 16). It has been demonstrated in Patna that under
seasonally waterlogged areas up to 1m depth, a system of fish trenches-cum-raised
beds based horticulture (banana) + fish system generated a net income of
Rs.80,951/ha/year, 189 per cent higher over traditional rice-wheat system. Under canal
seepage-fed secondary reservoir supplemented with ground water, a system of
horticulture on bunds + fish + duckery yielded net returns of Rs.1,32,590/ha/year, 374
per cent higher over traditional rice-wheat system. The results indicate about six fold
increase in water productivity by integrating fish + horticulture + duckery in permanently
or seasonally waterlogged areas.
Multiple water use based farming system approach with on dyke horticulture and poultry
and fish-prawn in ponds system in farmers’ field in Odisha provided an excellent
opportunity to productively use water logged area. Net return of Rs 1,46,767/ha was
obtained. These technologies hold great promise for utilization of vast waterlogged
areas in flood plains of eastern region and provide opportunity for compensating
kharifproduction losses. This would require coordinated efforts of research institutes,
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SAUs and state development agencies. Convergence of resources and activities of on-
going government schemes could provide a better opportunity to accomplish this task.
10.8 Other Measures in Post Flood Period:
Water and soil conservation measures in flood catchments are necessary to
moderate peak flows, water suspended sediments, siltation of water ways
and cultivated fields.
Land slips and landslides were noticed especially in cloud burst events in
hilly area. These need to be properly dressed and stabilized to prevent high
soil erosion, suspended matter, siltation, raise in channels bed levels,
breaches in embankments, meandering of streams and related damages to
wild life and human beings.
Breaches in the embankments may be plugged.
De-sanding or de-siltation and land shaping may be required.
Rivers/ tributary trainings and streams course stabilization structures in some
drain and farmers field may be required.
Repair of communication infrastructure of roads, bridges, electric poles etc.
Aquaculture: Mild floods are essential to flush out aquatic habitats and
spread the fingerlings. Severe flood damage breeding grounds, brooders
and bring in predators. It may also enrich broods stocks in some
downstream areas where flood water velocity is lost. High suspended
sediments may reduce oxygen (o2) concentration and restrict fish growth.
Damaged man made private fish ponds may also need repairs, reseeding
and appropriate feeding.
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11. Management of Livestock
I. De-worming, vaccination against expected diseases like bacterial
Haemorragic septicaemia and fodder distribution be given high priority.
II. Fodder and feed supply is possibly next to drinking water for supporting
livestock based livelihood especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Karbi
(dried stalks) of sorghum, maize and bajra, wheat bhusa, paddy straw,
ground nut, channa and masur chaf etc. are traditionally known fodder
sources. Most of the fodder, feed and grasses get contaminated, uprooted
or even killed during floods. Alkaloid poisoning after eating / grazing wild
plants during or after floods have been reported. Procurement of the
bailing and block making machines for efficient transport of densified
fodder supply, repairing and servicing of the already existing machines,
maintenance and servicing of feed mills, procurement of raw material for
feed mills, etc. may be strategized.
III. Migration of animals out of the fodder/feed/water scarce areas is normally
resisted or discouraged by the neighbouring States to avoid spread of
diseases and infections. Entry points of the traditional and alternative
migration routes could be identified and vaccination of animals organised
so as to ensure health safe and regulated movement of livestock from one
region to another for survival.
IV. Mineral supplement through Urea Mineral Molasses Block (UMMB) needs
to be offered to animals for preventing loss of fertility in case of prolonged
drought. These blocks can be easily transported over long distances.
V. For utilizing residues of crops which are normally not fed to livestock, the
practice of Total Mixed Ration (TMR) should be propagated. Such non-
conventional feed material can be incorporated in TMR at 10 – 15% level.
VI. As the sowing of main rabi crops will start in October-November, each
crop of winter maize, rabi bajra, rabi sorghum, may be taken up on
residual moisture.
VII. The nearby canal command areas could be utilized for growing fodder
crops, like oats, barley, kasni and lucern etc. and farmers compensated
for his income losses, if any, due to diversification.
VIII. Dual purpose crops like barley (varieties RD 2715, RD 2035, RD 2522 and
BH 75) may be sown in October. One cutting may be taken for fodder at
50-60 days after sowing and subsequent regenerated crop left for grain
production.
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IX. High mounds or embankments should be made for escaping floods in
flood prone areas.
12. Management of Forestry sector:
i. The local institutions involved in forest and wildlife management such as JFMCs,
EDCs, Van Panchayats etc should be encouraged to deal with floods and
droughts through context-specific approaches. These institutions should be
institutionally strengthened through capacity building, infrastructure, equipments
and resources to effectively intervene during floods and droughts.
ii. In drought prone areas, fodder trees, shrubs and grasses may be introduced as
rehabilitation option on degraded forestlands. Reseeding of indigenous grasses
and inclusion of leguminous components and plantation of top fodder drought
tolerant trees and shrubs can improve productivity of grasslands/ grazing lands/
pasture lands in the drought prone areas. The less productive grasses may be
replaced with recently developed more productive and drought tolerant varieties
of Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus, Lasiurus sindicus, etc.
iii. In drought prone areas, the farmers may be encouraged to plant light canopy
drought tolerant fodder trees and shrubs (e.g. spineless Opuntia sp., Acacia sp)
and perennial Napier grass along agriculture bunds. This form of agro-forestry
will not only yield surplus fodder during prolonged dry spell but will also protect
crop from wild animal depredation. The States Forest Departments may assume
the role of supplying quality of planting material via a network of high tech fodder
species nurseries and seed centres.
iv. Livelihoods options based on NTFP may be encouraged in the fringe forest
villages of drought prone areas as safety net against crop failure. The States
may establish NTFP storage facilities and develop processing and value addition
centres linked with domestic and commercial markets in these areas. The land
allottees of FRA may be encouraged to plant NTFP and medicinal species on
field bunds for sustainable income during the lean period.
v. In drought prone areas, In situ conservation of rainfall through SMC works in
fringe forests may be undertyaken to improve the productivity of the forests.
Drought tolerant species of perennial grasses and bushes having ability to revive
quickly and yield reasonable fodder biomass may be encouraged to regenerate
and/ or plant along contour trenches/ bunds/ blanks to act as vegetative barrier
to conserve soil & moisture
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vi. In drought prone fringe forest areas, State Forest Departments may accord
priority on SMC works and plantation of deep rooted drought tolerant herbs/
shrubs and grasses along trenches/ contours/ bunds/ blanks. The concept of
forest farming on pilot basis may be introduced which is in conformity with the
National Forest Policy 1988. In this form, the forests are developed in such a
way that they have multiple layers of annual and/or perennial herbaceous
vegetation in the lower storey and perennial woody plants in the middle and
upper storey. Generally, the upper canopy consists of tall timber oriented trees
whereas the middle canopy comprises of fruit and nut trees and soft medicinal
bushes and herbaceous medicinal plants are grown in the lower canopy.
vii. In flood prone areas, permanent camping stations and watch towers may be
established at strategic locations both within and outside PAs for monitoring
movements of animals and preventing poaching State Forest Departments may
also be equipped with motor boats, life saving jackets, night vision devices, etc.
to be used while patrolling during floods. Other infrastructure facilities like animal
rescue centre may be established or increased in such areas.
viii. Patrolling squads may be deployed along highways passing through or in the
vicinity of PAs during flood period for intensive patrolling and for providing
warnings to truck/bus/car drivers.
ix. The uplands in the flood prone areas may be developed under silvi-pasture as
alternate grazing grounds for ungulates and other herbivores to offset fodder
shortage during floods. Indigenous grasses and browse fodder tree may be
planted and/ or encouraged to be regenerated in such areas.
13. Protected Cultivations:
Inflation in food is mainly due to fresh food shortage especially vegetables.
Cultivation of vegetables and flowers in poly/net/shaded gives 5-10 times higher
productivity and that too during off season when market prices are very high. It
also saves scarce and costly inputs like water, fertilizer, pesticides etc. to the
extent of 30-60%. It provides best safety net against pests and diseases and
minimizes use of pesticides, fungicides, weather abnormalities etc. It is best way
of compensatory production.
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14. Other measures
14.1 Pre-position of food stock:
Sufficient food grain stocks of rice and wheat are available due to record
production of 257 MT of food grains in the year 2011-12. However irrigated
areas of North West are the major contributors whereas flood and drought like
situation is appearing elsewhere. In order to meet the contingency, sufficient
stock should be moved. This will reduce pressure on the railways and road
transport which might have to be utilized for moving out fodder and drinking
water.
14.2 Employment Guarantee:
Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development has already sent a letter to the States
and assured sufficient funds for providing employment under Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to cope
with the drought. The Act also envisages that while providing employment,
durable and productive assets have to be created. It is therefore necessary
that a shelf of required number of projects should be pre-planned.
14.3 Market Sentiments:
Trade in the food grains is very sensitive to the floods and rainfall anomalies.
Ideally there are sufficient and dedicated stocks of rice and wheat and their
consumer prices should not increase. However the psychology of trade is
generally to take undue advantage of weather anomalies. Most of the recent
analysis show that inflation in the food is primarily due to fresh vegetables,
fruits and milk. It is therefore necessary that protected cultivation of
vegetable and logistics of their transport from normal or excessive rainfall
areas to the deficient areas should be arranged to minimize inflation.
15. Micro Enterprises :
In addition to an on farm activities, efforts are needed to create micro
enterprises at village level i.e. back yard poultry, small scale processing of
agri-produce and capacity building programme for the farmers. Self help
groups (SHGs) may be encouraged to take up small enterprises related to
marketing and storage of agri-produce, animal health programmes and
nutritional programmes. For women and child micro financing of SHGs will
empower them to take up micro enterprises at village level
