-PTI The monsoon rains, which have been deficient by about 21 per cent this season, are likely to spur prices of food and non-food articles, economic think tank CMIE has said. "We expect the South-West monsoon to remain deficient and the major crop production to decline by 2.3 per cent. This decline in output of major crops is expected to add to the already high inflation seen in food articles," the Centre...

-The Times of India India could be staring at a drought worse than the one it experienced in 2009. Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar informed that nearly half of the 624 districts had received deficient rains, another 15% experienced scanty or little rains and a deficit of 21% has been recorded across the country so far- worse than the cumulative deficiency recorded in the corresponding period in 2009. An internal review...

-The Indian Express With the overall rainfall deficiency this monsoon tracing the pattern of 2009, when the country witnessed widespread drought over 350 districts, the government Friday said while the situation was a matter of concern, the news “agriculturally” wasn’t as bad as three years ago in most parts. “As of yesterday, the overall rainfall deficiency stood at 21 per cent. Parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Western Rajasthan and Gujarat remain regions of...

-The Times of India COIMBATORE: The rainfall pattern during the current south-west monsoon is similar to 2009 when the country witnessed a drought. The overall rainfall deficiency has been 21.9% below the LPA ( Long Period Average) till July 18, which is similar to the one witnessed in 2009. This has raised the specter of drought in the country this year, observers tracking the agriculture sector have said. A drought year is...

-The Economic Times KOCHI: An extensive dry spell has affected the sowing of chilli, turmeric, cardamom and pepper. Rains have been weak this season in southern states, where the spices are mostly grown. Chilli acreage has fallen by over 40% in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which account for a majority of the spice cultivated in the country. Chilli farmers are finding cotton a better option as it needs less moisture. Interestingly, most growers...