Monsoon 2012: Drought conditions, but no El Nino effect so far

By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, July 19: There is no El Nino effect this monsoon and the
rains thus far have been almost normal, clarifies the Indian Council
of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

According to ICAR scientists, the monsoon this year will be normal in
the next couple of days and thus, there is no need for any contingency
plan.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the two-day XXI regional
committee No. II meeting of ICAR here on Thursday, ICAR
director-general Dr S Ayyappan and Central Research Institute for
Dryland Agriculture (Crida) director Dr B Venkateswara Rao said el
nino effect will not be felt even during August. There may be some of
its impact during September.

They said the el nino signal is weak and normal crop sown area will be
achieved by July 20. Already crop has been sown in about 30 lakh
hectares. The good rains in the last few days had helped farmers.
There is no cause of concern, though sowings in maize and pulses are
lagging behind the normal.

Top farm scientists from across the country are meeting in Hyderabad
to come out with an action for the agriculturally rich State of Andhra
Pradesh, besides West Bengal, Odisha and Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Governor ESL Narasimhan inaugurated the programme.

Dr Ayyappan said Malaysia had agreed to offer the germplasm of oil
palm to India. This will boost edible oil production in the country
from three tons a hectare to 10 tonnes a hectare.