Monsoon deficit comes down to 8%; pulses output will be hit: Pawar

Monsoon rains have revived and deficit has come down to 8 per cent so far this year, still the government expects fall in production of pulses and coarse cereals during the Kharif season, Agriculture Minister  Sharad Pawar said today.

The productivity of rice could also be affected but there would not be problem in meeting domestic demand, he said, adding that the government continues to export products like wheat, sugar, non-basmati rice and cotton. "Monsoon deficiency has come down to 8 per cent and the situation has improved. The sowing situation of coarse cereals and pulses production does not indicate that  production will be at last year's level," Pawar told reporters here.

"Rice productivity will be affected as water was not avilable at right time. But there won't be supply problem to meet the domestic demand," he added. 

Monsoon, lifline of Indian agriculture, has revived in last one month but Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan continue to face deficit.

These four states have declared  drought in more than 390 taluks, prompting the centre to announce various relief measures to tackle the crisis.

India produced a record 104.32 million tonnes, while pulses output stood at 17.21 million tonnes and coarse cereals 42.01 million tonnes in 2011-12 crop year (July-June). Pawar pointed out that 78 per cent of the country has received normal rains or excess rains so far, whereas 29 per cent has received dificient rains. "Deficient monsoon has impacted sowing. There has been significant improvement in sowing position in the last few days. The gap in area is significantly high in Gujarat, Karnataka and Rajasthan," he added.

Pawar felt that the revival of monsoon augurs well for rabi crops. "It will be good for wheat crops".