R.AJITH KUMAR DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, KERALA CONTINGENCY PLAN TO TACKLE POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF DROUGHT IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF KERALA STATE-KHARIF 2015 R.AJITH KUMAR DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, KERALA

KERALA AT A GLANCE Location : `North Latitude Between 8º - 18' and 12º - 48‘ East Longitude Between 74º - 52' and 77º - 22‘

KERALA AT A GLANCE

IRRIGATED AREA UNDER MAJOR CROPS ( , 000 HA)

RAIN FALL (KHARIF-2014) METEOROLOGICAL CENTRE THIRUVANANTHAPURAM   1ST JUNE 2014 TO  30TH  SEPTEMBER 2014 SUB DIVISION /DISTRICTS Actual Rainfall (mm)  Normal Rainfall (mm) Percentage Departure (%) KERALA 2163.3 2039.7 6 NORMAL LAKSHADWEEP 961 998.5 -4

PRE-MONSOON RAINFALL 2014 METEOROLOGICAL CENTRE THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 1ST MARCH  2014 TO  31ST  MAY  2014   SUB DIVISION /DISTRICTS Actual Rainfall (mm)  Normal Rainfall (mm) Percentage Departure (%) KERALA 364.4 379.9 -4 NORMAL LAKSHADWEEP 76.7 232.4 -67 SCANTY SEASON’S RAINFALL 2015  1st MARCH 2015  TO  27th  MAY 2015 SUB DIVISION /DISTRICTS Actual Rainfall (mm)  Normal Rainfall (mm)  Percentage Departure (%) KERALA 431.3 337.2 28 EXCESS  LAKSHADWEEP 196.7 188.3 4 NORMAL 

MONSOON IN KERALA Kerala receives rain fall through South-West Monsoon(Jun-Sep) - 70% North- East monsoon(Oct-Dec) – 16.4% Pre Monsoon showers(Jan- May) – 13.6% Even though Kerala receives normal annual rainfall, the monsoons in Kerala are characterized by heavy rainfall with intermittent dry spells affecting the agricultural practices.

CROP SITUATION (Kharif 2015) Paddy: Kuttanad, Kole and Palakkad are the main Paddy growing areas. 70000 Ha are covered in the Kharif season. Sowing/ nursery preparation has started in 8000 Ha. As of date no estimated reduction in area coverage under paddy during Kharif due to receipt of summer showers. Paddy cultivation in Kuttanad (Alappuzha district), Kole region (Thrissur and Malappuram) are taken up in the lands below sea level where drainage and salinity are major problems. About 1000 motor and pump sets (petti and para) are provided to these regions for dewatering purpose. In Palakkad, paddy is mainly rainfed during Kharif. Approximately 40000 ha are irrigated during second crop season.

CROP SITUATION (Kharif 2015) contd COCONUT: Major crop cultivated in an area of 8 lakh Ha in the State. Cultural operations including fertilizer application and intercultivation operations are being carried out by farmers during the season. BANANA: Crop is in different stages of growth in the field. PEPPER: New planting and intercultural operations are being carried out by pepper farmers. VEGETABLES: Crops are in different stages in the field. Normal cultivation operations are carried out by farmers.

INPUT AVAILABILITY – KHARIF 2015 Kerala requires 5600 MT paddy seeds during Kharif season. Required quantity of seeds have been made available to paddy farmers in all the 14 districts through KSSDA established under Department of Agriculture. Duration of major paddy varieties preferred by farmers are- Jyothi ( 110-120 days) Uma (115-125 days) Kanchana (105-110 days) Red Triveni (100-105 days)

INPUT AVAILABITY DURING KHARIF 2015 Kerala has buffer stock of paddy seeds available with KSSDA SEEDS Variety FS-II (qtl.) Certified (qtl.) Uma 320.10 9960.60 Jyothi 274.80 615.30 Kanchana 6.00 788.00 VTL-6 (pokkali) -- 51.90 Total 600.90 11415.80

INPUT AVAILABITY DURING KHARIF 2015 (contd) Procurement of seeds of short duration, drought/stress tolerant paddy varieties from RSGP farmers in the state by KSSDA is continuing. KSSDA has also taken measures to include short duration/ stress tolerant paddy varieties in the seed production chain(Seed Rolling Plan). Vegetable seeds are also being procured and distributed by KSSDA.

INPUT AVAILABITY DURING KHARIF 2015 (contd) FERTILIZERS: Kerala has sufficient allocation of fertilizers

FERTILIZER AVAILABITY DURING KHARIF 2015 (April –May) Fertilizers Receipts (MT) Sales (MT) Balance(MT) DAP 5647 1232 4415 MOP 13401 6366 7035 NPK 14395 13340 1055 Urea 25344 13211 12133

INPUT AVAILABITY DURING KHARIF 2015 (contd) POWER: Free electricity for agricultural purpose is available for small and marginal farmers of the State. At present there is no deficiency in this sector.

CONTINGENCY PLAN Measures suggested for entire state: In the eventuality of delayed SW Monsoon and resultant drought situation the below mentioned contingency plan has been worked out. Buffer stock of 11415 qtl seeds are ensured for re sowing through KSSDA. Initiated action for de silting the ponds and irrigation/drainage channels in the paddy field(padasekharam) in about 2 lakhs ha with participation of farmers utilizing the services of LSGD/MNREGS. Fertilizers are made available to farmers through local depots.

CONTINGENCY PLAN CROP SPECIFIC SHORT TERM MEASURES: PADDY: Direct seeding is propogated instead of transplanting wherever possible. Short duration drought tolerant varieties are being provided to farmers. Promoting irrigation during critical stages instead of continuous submergence.

CONTINGENCY PLAN COCONUT AND ARECANUT Homestead Farming is being Promoted in Kerala Husk burial Organic mulching Green manuring Intercropping with banana and tuber crops. The above activities are propogated through Keragramam scheme on a cluster based approach.

CONTINGENCY PLAN BANANA Mulching Scientific irrigation practices. Organic manuring The above programmes are being implemented through SHM Schemes.

Vegetables and Tubers

CONTINGENCY PLAN VEGETABLES AND TUBERS Open precision farming Organic manuring Drip irrigation Polyhouse farming for vegetables (completed 1108 numbers of 40-400 sqm capacity).

CONTINGENCY PLAN LONG TERM MEASURES Conservation of wetlands – enacted Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wet land Act , 2008. Promote cultivation of coarse cereals and pulses in district like Palakkad. Action plan for coarse cereals in Palakkad for an amount of Rs.4 lakhs has been submitted under NFSM to Govt of India for approval .

CONTINGENCY PLAN LONG TERM MEASURES Promoting micro irrigation. Additional Financial support from Government of India is requested for Promoting Micro-irrigation on a large scale among the farmers of Kerala. Potential and Actual Area Under Micro Irrigation ( , 000 ha)   Potential Area Actual Area Drip 179 14.10 Sprinkler 35 2.50 Total 214 16.60

Promoting Polyhouse Farming

CONTINGENCY PLAN LONG TERM MEASURES (contd) Promoting Polyhouse farming- Polyhouse farming is effectively done in Kerala. 1108 polyhouses of size 40-400 sq.m are actively engaged in crop production in Kerala. Major vegetables being cultivated in poly houses are Salad Cucumber, Capsicum, Cow pea, Bhindi, Tomato etc

CONTINGENCY PLAN LONG TERM MEASURES (contd) Under vegetable development programme, Department has implemented 896 units of micro irrigation with fertigation (0.2 ha each) last year. The scheme is continuing this year also. Installed 2256 irrigation pump sets and constructed 398 irrigation wells covering an area of 265.4 Ha Implemented 227 units of Rain shelter units for vegetable cultivation last year. Soil health card and fertilizer advisory- Department of Agriculture has initiated a project in 2010 , whereby 2 lakh surface soil samples were collected from farmers fields and soil test data transmission through ICT applications ensured.

Promotion of Organic Farming

CONTINGENCY PLAN LONG TERM MEASURES (contd) Promotion of ORGANIC FARMING: Department of Agriculture has already initiated Organic farming in selected districts. Organic farming policy was declared in 2010 in Kerala State. Subsequently Red and Yellow coloured pesticides were banned in the State. At present organic farming is being carried out in 6000 Ha (Kasargod district ) and 5800 Ha (Wayanad district) . In addition , an area of 14279 ha is covered under organic farming through SHM scheme and 5500Ha through VFPCK schemes.

CONTINGENCY PLAN LONG TERM MEASURES (contd) Promotion of Crop Insurance (NCIP) During 2014-15 MNAIS was implemented for Paddy, Tapioca and Banana . During 2014-15 WBCIS was implemented for Paddy, Banana, Pepper , Ginger , Turmeric, Pineapple, Cardamom, Sugarcane, Arecanut, Nutmeg, Cashew and Mango. During 2015-16,It is proposed to cover more area under NCIP so that maximum farmers are benefitted. A Comprehensive Paddy Insurance Scheme by integrating with MNAIS and WBCIS is proposed to be implemented from 2015-16 where additional premium subsidy will be met by Government of Kerala.

MAJOR INITIATIVES UNDER TAKEN FOR MITIGATION OF DROUGHT (Department of Soil Conservation)

MAJOR INITIATIVES UNDER TAKEN FOR MITIGATION OF DROUGHT (Department of Soil Conservation) Renovated 129 ponds expending an amount of Rs.15.31 crores in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha (13th FC) Renovated 2837 wells for Rs.15.37 crores in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha Constructed 3550 Nos of logwood/masonry/concrete/ loose boulder check dams for Rs. 10.35 Crores in Wayanad

MAJOR INITIATIVES UNDER TAKEN FOR MITIGATION OF DROUGHT (Department of Soil Conservation) Construction of 50 water harvesting Structures, 150 nos of Spring water collection/rain water harvesting structures/ ring ponds- 13.5 Crores under NABARD assisted RIDF project in 126 watersheds. 25 water harvesting structures under eco restoration programme for vulnerable Tribal Colonies in Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kasargod – Rs.1.50 Crores.

MAJOR INITIATIVES UNDER TAKEN FOR MITIGATION OF DROUGHT (Department of Soil Conservation) For augmenting vegetable cultivation in Kanthallur and Vattavada in Idukki 5 nos of waterharvesting structures/checkdams constructed- Rs.50 lakhs 15 water harvesting structures/ponds in Mullankolly, Pulpally and Koothadi panchayats in Wayanad district with RKVY funding- Rs.63 lakhs

MAJOR INITIATIVES PROPOSED FOR MITIGATION OF DROUGHT (Department of Soil Conservation) 2015-16 projects Proposal for renovation of 56 ponds in Palakkad district for Rs.15.76 Crores is under consideration by NABARD Soil conservation activities proposed for Rs. 30 Crores in 120 RIDF projects through out the State.

MAJOR INITIATIVES PROPOSED FOR MITIGATION OF DROUGHT (Department of Soil Conservation) 2015-16 projects Renovation of 250 ponds for Rs.10.68 crores and renovation of wells for Rs.1.52 Crores is nearing completion under Kuttanad package. 45 water harvesting structures/ponds in Mullankolly, Pulpally and Koothadi panchayats in Wayanad district with RKVY funding- Rs.2.61 Crores.

MAJOR INITIATIVES PROPOSED FOR MITIGATION OF DROUGHT (Department of Soil Conservation) 2015-16 projects Under NMSA 9 nos of water harvesting structures in Kannur, Wayanad and Thrissur districts for Rs. 100 lakhs. All the soil and water conservation activities aim at insitu conservation of rainwater and helps in reducing the impact of drought.

Assistance anticipated from Government of INDIA For promoting micro irrigation Rs.50 Crores Sahasra Sarovar – Renovation of Ponds in 1000 Panchayaths of the state Rs.250 Crores Deepening of irrigation/Drainage Channels in and around padasekharams (wet lands under Paddy cultivation) in an area of 2.00 lakh Ha Rs.300 Crores

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