-Hindustan Times India’s below-average and a largely flat food production this year is sure to keep prices of pulses high, prompting the government to take a slew of steps aimed at taming prices. Yet there is widening demand-supply deficit of one of the commonest protein item on an average Indian’s plate. * What happened? Lentils, the commonest protein item in an average Indian’s meal, are low on supplies. * What does it mean? Pulses could...

-The New Indian Express BARGARH: In the dry and dusty landscape of Kharamal village, located on the foothills of Gandhamardan hill range, two farmers depict a picture of contrast. The village comes under Jamseth gram panchayat of Paikmal block, which is often hit by drought. Vast stretches of barren land in Kharamal have lost their water retention capacity due to long dry spell for several years. Farmers Sitaram Majhi and Dambru Majhi,...

-Livemint.com New Delhi: Despite widespread drought in 11 states across the country, India’s foodgrain production is actually set to grow marginally, the third advance estimates released by the agriculture ministry on Monday showed. Total foodgrain production in 2015-16 is estimated at 252.23 million tonnes, marginally higher than 252.02 million tonnes produced in 2014-15, the data shows. If the estimates hold up, it would imply that the damage to the agrarian economy is less...

-The Indian Express Convert crisis into opportunity: Shift from supply side augmentation to demand side management. Scattered “mango rains” have brought a little respite from scorching heat in certain places. Earlier, IMD’s forecast of above normal monsoon rains had given some hope for forthcoming acche din. Yet, a sizeable part of India is still smouldering under the grip of a drought. Bundelkhand and Marathwada are just samples, but in reality more...

-The Indian Express According to a PMO statement, Modi called for a focus on medium and long-term solutions for “drought-proofing” Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to discuss the drought situation. The Centre and the states resolved to work together to mitigate problems faced by people against the backdrop of a severe water shortage. According to...