Agriculture hit by deficient rains: PHDCCI

“The input costs have been increased by more than 70 per cent in the current crop year compared with the last crop year,” the industry chamber said in a statement.

The agriculture wage rate has been reported to touch Rs 250 per day from Rs 150 and the cost of diesel and fertilisers has increased by about 25 per cent and 20 per cent,respectively,it added.

According to the survey,major agrarian states like Bihar,Uttar Pradesh,Punjab and Haryana have received deficient rains.

As per the latest information available,the cumulative rainfall for the period June 1 to July 27,2011 is deficient by 4 per cent,it said.

“These monsoon deficient states contribute around 45 per cent and 40 per cent to India¿s foodgrain and commercial crops production,respectively,” it said.

Uttar Pradesh is the largest contributor in food grain and commercial crops production,the survey added.

“The total cropped area in current kharif season is lower by about 3 per cent at 609 lakh hectares as compared to 629 lakh hectares in the corresponding period 2010,” the survey pointed out.

Going ahead,the sluggish sowing process vis-à-vis deficient monsoon and labour shortages may stoke food inflation in the higher trajectory once again,the PHDCCI statement said.