Drought-like situation in 20 districts of Chhattisgarh

Raipur, July 26 (IANS) Poor rains in 20 districts of Chhattisgarh has led to drought-like situation which could result in poor harvest.Government figures reveal that out of 27 districts only seven - Surajpur, Koriya, Gariaband, Dhamtari, Bastar, Narayanpur and Kondagaon - have witnessed only average rainfall. The other 20 districts have witnessed below-average rain.The poor monsoon will have adverse impact on paddy, which is the main crop of the region.Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has asked agriculture and revenue departments' officials to come up with an effective plan for procuring seeds and fertilizers for an alternative harvest. He has also told them to arrange cattle feed.The Chief Minister has also instructed patwaris to take up crop assessment. Patwaris should take officials from agriculture, revenue and panchayat department as well as farmers with them. They have to take the photographs of the fields and signatures of the farmers.Baghel has also instructed the ground staff of the agriculture department to start guiding the farmers about alternative crops. He said it is the responsibility of district collectors to monitor the monsoon and be ready with an action plan to tackle the situation.
--IANS hindi/rt/prs