SOWING OF OILSEEDS PICKS UP
Sowing of oilseeds
has picked up in Central India with the monsoon covering the region.
An analysis done by the Agricultural Ministry shows that the coverage
will be adequate in about two weeks. As per the reports received
so far, 9.1 lakh hectares of area has been covered under oilseeds
as against 20.2 lakh hectares during the corresponding period
last year. The area coverage under rice reported so far is 30.2
lakh hectares as compared to 35.3 lakh hectares during the corresponding
period last year. The short fall is mainly due to inadequate rains
in Chattisgarh and Tamil Nadu. Sowing operations are progressing
satisfactorily in Rajasthan.
According to the
drought situation report of the Agriculture Ministry for the week
ending today, the nine drought affected States have utilised 56.49
lakh tonnes of food grains against 79.17 lakh tonnes allotted.
The Railways continued to transport water to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
With good rains in several parts of the two States, 725 wagons
were deployed during the week ending 27th June,2003
as against 741 wagons in the previous week. The declining trend
in relief employment continued in Chhatisgarh and Gujarat. Although
reports have not been received from the State Governments, available
information indicates decline in relief works in Rajasthan and
Madhya Pradesh. The Government of Rajasthan has indicated discontinuance
of relief works, except in certain pockets, by the 15th
of this month. The overall situation of movement of food grains
progressed in all the drought affected States with achievement
of 90 % of the planned target for last month. The target was achieved
for Chhatisgarh and was exceeded for Gujarat, Maharasthra, Orissa
and Tamil Nadu. However, there was a marginal shortfall for Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The nine drought
affected States are Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtyra, Orissa , Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
