Govt unprepared for possible rainfall deficit
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 11 2015 :
The State Government has not taken up any measures to tackle any exigency which may break out if the seasonal rainfall does not meet the water volume required for paddy cultivation.
A high-ranking official in Agriculture Department said that even though it is the second week of June, monsoon is yet to arrive in the land.
Both the department and peasants have been eagerly awaiting arrival of monsoon.
Manipur as well as the whole of India depends on the vagaries of monsoon for agriculture, particularly for Kharif crops.
In case there is a likelihood of scanty rainfall or inadequate rainfall, the department concerned must take up certain measures to mitigate its impacts on cultivation of Kharif crops.
According to booklets distributed by Agriculture Department, cultivation of paddy saplings should be completed by
June 20 to 25 .
But so far there is no sign of arrival of monsoon in the coming days.
It's time for the department to take up certain crop contingency measures, said the official.
But the department is still hopeful that monsoon would arrive in abundance.
It is said that the department has adequate quantities of crop seeds and fertilizers.
The only problem is non-arrival of monsoon.
The situation demands an analytical study on the volume of rainfall received by the State in April, May and the current month and work out the volume of rainfall deficit.
Based on this analytical study, the department should chalk out certain contingency plans in order to mitigate the impacts of scanty or inadequate rainfall.
The department should have plans in hand to meet drought or drought like situations.
But the department has done nothing so far in this regard, the official added.