-The Business Standard Cautious optimism about the revival of the monsoon  A progressive improvement in the monsoon, after a dismal June that saw rainfall deficient by over 30 per cent, has eased some worries over kharif crop production. Since then the rainfall deficit has been halved to 15 per cent, dispelling fears of a situation as bad as in 2009, when severe drought lowered foodgrain production by seven per cent. In addition,...

-The United Nations More consolidated efforts to combat the threat of climate change and counter its ripple effects on global food security are needed amid an intensifying global drought and increasing temperatures worldwide, the United Nations declared today. “Climate change is projected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of droughts, with impacts on many sectors, in particular food, water, and energy,” said World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Michel Jarraud in a...

-PTI As many as 115 talukas in Maharashtra have been declared as drought-hit in the first phase by the state government for deficient rains and crop sowing. Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Patangrao Kadam told reporters that talukas from among the 149 perennially drought-prone areas under the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) have also been included. "We declare drought if the rainfall is less than 50 per cent and sowing is less than 50...

-The Economic Times The worst of drought may be behind after the near normal rains since fourth week of July, raising hopes that the economy could bottom out in the current quarter and even get a big push from a likely good Rabi harvest. The deficit in the weekly rainfall in the three weeks to August 15, the crucial sowing period in north India, has been less than 4%, almost normal rainfall. The...

-Frontline A recession-hit world is only just waking up to the prospect of the coming food crisis resulting in a period of political turmoil with unexpected consequences.  For the third time in five years, the world is braced for another food crisis. Bad weather conditions are leading to projections of major production shortfalls in some of the world’s leading food suppliers. Substantially reduced access and sharp price increases are, therefore, expected to...