Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Friday said the government did not expect any shortfall in most crops during 2004-05 due to initial scanty rainfall in the country.
Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Pawar said barring losses in some bajra sowing areas in Rajasthan and edible oil crops in central India due to scanty rainfall, output of other produce would be sufficient.
"As for other crops, we do not expect any shortfall", he told Congress member Jairam Ramesh, adding it would be difficult to give an exact estimate at present.
On the threat of drought in the country, Pawar said the situation about three weeks ago was serious but since then there has been a substantial improvement.
"Overall, the rainfall situation has definitely improved," he said adding till July 20 there was a big gap, which was unexpected after early normal rains.
Members raised questions on the situation in states including Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
As far as UP is concerned, the minister said drought has been declared in 30 districts and Rs 66 crore (Rs 660 million) has already been releasd under Calamity Relief Fund.
He said parts of eastern and western Uttar Pradesh had been badly hit due to scanty rainfall.
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