Till recently agricultural production in the current crop year was expected to be adversely affected by drought situation in more than 10 states, apart from hailstorms and excessive rainfall that happened in March. However, if one were to believe a recent forecast made by the Ministry of Agriculture, the overall foodgrain production in the country this crop year is anticipated to remain almost the same as last year. In 2014-15,...

-Livemint.com No household in a drought affected area shall be denied grains even if they do not possess a ration card, says Supreme Court New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the centre and states for a delayed implementation of the National Food Security Act despite a protracted drought, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered that all households in drought-hit areas be supplied with highly subsidised foodgrains. No household in a drought affected...

-Livemint.com Revision of drought management manual among slew of directions made by Supreme Court New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday hit the reset button on drought management, directing the government to abandon the existing system and evolve a transparent, rules-based framework. The new policy will prescribe a standard methodology and time-frame for declaring drought. The court also directed the Union government to set up a National Disaster Mitigation Fund within three...

-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The Centre is likely to provide 'free of cost' foodgrain to the poorest of the poor families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojna (AAY) which would benefit nearly 25 million families across the country. This is being seen as yet another step by the government to push its 'pro-poor' image just days before it completes two years in office. Sources said the food ministry will present this...

-Livemint.com Compensation for crop loss due six months ago is yet to reach farmers, says Swaraj Abhiyan Villages across drought-hit Bundelkhand, a hilly region divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, are reporting an abnormally high number of cattle deaths due to acute shortage of fodder and water, said a survey released on Monday. “For cattle the famine has arrived,” the survey by non-profit organization Swaraj Abhiyan said, adding,...