India has received 52 per cent excess rainfall to date during the current North-East monsoon with north-west parts receiving double the normal showers and the southern peninsula 69 per cent more than normal, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.
The onset of the North-East Monsoon this year witnessed hectic weather activities both over the Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal, the center of action for the monsoon. At least 47 per cent of the country has received “large excess rainfall’ ‘ (60 per cent more than normal), 16 per cent excess rains (20-59 per cent more than normal) and 16 per cent normal rains.
According to reports from across the country, over 20 major and minor crops have been affected by the rains that have pounded many parts of the country during October-November and until last week. The affected 5.05 mh represent around five per cent of the 95 mh classified as operational holdings or lands under cultivation in 2012-13 by the National Sample Survey Organization. The 2010-11 agricultural census pegged the area under cultivation at 165 mh.
These crops include cereals such as paddy, jowar, maize, bajra, pulses – tur and urad, vegetables – onion, tomato and potato -, oilseeds such as soybean, groundnut, castor and sesame, cotton, flowers and plantation crops such as pepper, coffee and arecanut.
“Agricultural production is likely to be affected, particularly in cotton, chilli, turmeric. Rabi sowing has been delayed, particularly that of wheat, while paddy ready for harvest has also been affected. Overall, I am not sure of major losses,” said BK Singh, Director, BKC Weather System Pvt Ltd that runs the Fasal Salah app with a large number of farmer subscribers.
Despite the reported losses, agricultural markets across the country have not witnessed any panic sales or purchases for most produce. Though prices of tomatoes topped $1.32 a kg in many parts until last week, prices of other vegetables are lower compared with the year-ago period.
For example, prices of potato in Agra are quoting at $13.49 a kg compared with $26.45 a year ago. Onion rates are ruling $6.61 a kg lower than last year as also tur by $1.32. Prices of cotton are up ($107.14 vs $69.51 a kg) mainly in line with the global trend, while Bajra and maize prices are also quoting higher.
In the case of dried or red chilli, prices are $26.45 a kg higher since the beginning of the month. Pepper prices have increased to record as the rains are feared to result in production dropping by half next season starting January. Coffee prices are ruling at record high, oil-seed prices are off from the record highs seen earlier this year.
Source: the Hindu Business
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