Bihar on the verge of drought

Bihar is on the verge of a drought for the second year in a row owing to scarce rainfall in 24 of the 38 districts. Paddy crop is likely to be the worst hit by the dry spell.

Bihar Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh on Tuesday said that almost two third districts in the state are facing drought like situation due to scanty rains. "Though there has been good rainfall in some parts of the state," told Singh, "most of the districts have been facing drought because of the deficit rainfall. The situation is more acute in south Bihar, where most of the districts have received almost 50-80 per cent less rains."

Since the beginning of the Khariff season Bihar has received only 79 per cent of the normal rainfall. "Only 3 districts of the state have received more than normal rainfall this year, whereas rains have been more and less normal in another 11 districts.

However, there have been huge gap of upto 60 percent in rainfall in 19 districts and rest 5 districts have received virtually no rainfall this year," said the minister. Paddy crop in the state is likely to be worst hit by this dry spell

So far paddy transplantation has been completed in 1.16 million hectares against a targeted 3.5 million hectares, officials said. "By the last week of July, paddy transplantation would have been completed on half of the targeted area, but scanty rains have forced farmers to stay away from the fields."

July has been especially tough for the farmers due to 40 per cent deficit rainfall. The chances of revival of monsoon in the state are also slim, officials commented. The paddy production in the state is now likely to slide to 7-8 million tonnes, which was earlier expected to more than 10 million tonnes.

The minister said that the government is mulling to declare these districts drought affected. He said," We would assess the situation for few more days and then take a decision."

However, the government has announced measures to limit the impact. "We have decided to extend the diesel subsidy scheme for the current year. We have decided to give farmers a diesel subsidy of Rs. 250 per hectare (at Rs. 25 a litre) for six rounds of irrigation. If needed, we can extend for another couple of rounds."