With the production of food grains and agricultural commodities set to fall due to drought, the government said on Friday that it will import those items that will be in short supply to meet demand.
"Decision is already there that whichever commodity will be in short supply, to maintain demand-supply mechanism, we shall go for imports," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, addressing State agriculture ministers in New Delhi. Already, there is a short supply of pulses and edible oil, he pointed out.
Mukherjee, however, said that the government will not announce the timing of the import to ensure that prices are not jacked up artificially by the international players. "The moment news is spread that India is going for big import, market prices have been jacked up," he said.
On the impact of drought, the finance minister said that it does not affect only production, it has a cascading effect. Scanty rainfall will affect recharge of ground water.
He assured the country that the government has the experience to deal with such situations and "we need not lose confidence in ourselves.
"The government will have an estimated 18 million tonnes of wheat as of April 1, 2010 and 13.6 million tonnes of rice as of October 1, 2009."
Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar too asked the State agriculture ministers to take immediate steps to provide relief to the drought affected areas.
Addressing the conference of State agriculture ministers, Pawar urged them to take steps to protect the interest of small and marginal farmers.
Pawar described the situation in 246 districts across 10 states as grim, and said the state agriculture departments must gear up their machinery to ensure full support to the farmers at this critical times.
Rabi crops can be planted early and over a large area to make for the kharif losses due to a poor monsoon, Pawar explained.
"This is good opportunity to ensure wheat is sown in time particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal," Pawar.
Pawar said there is an urgent need to promote alternate crops like pulses, sunflower, bajra, fodder and vegetables as the reports pointing out a shortfall in paddy sowing.
In his speech Pawar also stressed the need for sustaining the animal health, livelihood of small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
He asked the State governments to set up control rooms at the state capital and district headquarters to deal with drought situation.
"For the drought-affected population we should ensure availability of food, drinking water, fodder and employment. I am sure with your cooperation we would be able to tide over this crisis and regain the momentum of food grain production in the country."
Pawar also expressed concern over price rise and asked the ministers to take measures to check it.
