Drought in India | Drought Relief Measures by Indian Govt | Farmer's Livelihood Security
Drought in India
The drought term generally refers to a deficiency in rainfall and its consequences. The quantitative definitions of a drought vary across countries all over the world.
In India , Indian Meteorological Department defines a "Meteorological Drought".This means the rainfall over a Meteorological subdivision is deficient by 25% or more for the long term average. If the deficiency exceeds 50% then Meteorological Dept categories as "Severe Drought".Based on he Meteorological
Drought the commission on Agriculture defines the other two kind of droughts which are "Hydrological and Agricultural"
Hydrological Drought
As per the broad definition, the hydrological drought is one in which prolonged Meteorological drought results in fall of ground water levels lead to severe shortage of water for livestock and human needs.
Agricultural Drought
It is defined as a period of four consecutive weeks with a rainfall deficiency of more than 50%.
Generally if 50% or more water deficiency, the standing corp in a particular district is destroyed or damaged to insufficient irrigation water then the district is declared as Drought Hit.
The assessment of drought and crop loss is done by the district revenue department and central government has no role to play in drought announcement. The drought announcement done by district authorities.
What happens once drought announced?
Once drought is announced steps have been taken to provide relief to farmers. There are two sources of calamity funds to tackle situations which are Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and the other is National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). The CRF is a state administered fund in which the center contributes 75% of the fund for each state. The NCCF is central administered fund.
What kind of relief measures announced in Drought?
The relief measures are entirely states right to decide. The following steps may be taken generally:
- Suspension of revenue collection from drought hit area
- waiver on interest of agricultural loans
- Food for work programme
- Direct cash relief
- Assistance for crop damage
- Assistance for damage of livestock
The crop loss compensation also various on the nature of the farmers holding but these address the concerns of Land owning farmers.
The Agricultural Labour and relief works
In drought conditions the worst hit are Agricultural labour,who suffer since there are no employment and to tackle this govt implement food for work programme. This is typically done by paying half of the wages in food grains and the other half in cash.
This will be taken care by food ministry and department of rural
development.In case of drinking water shortage a special arrangement will be done to transport, distribute and sell portable water in villages. These arrangements also paid by the center.
The ICAR - Indian Council for Agricultural Research undertake and advised farmers on alternative crops which suits the drought conditions.
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