Monsoon slow, ICAR steps in

Rai said farmers in Punjab and Haryana could raise seedlings, adding: ‘‘Last year drought productivity in Punjab was high.’’

The DG went on to say: ‘‘In places where irrigated water is avaiLable I would like to say that the situation can be improved by ensuring diesel availability and electricity… Where there is no irrigation facility like in Rajasthan, we should wait and watch and plant appropriate variety. There is the option of early maturing variety.’’

Rai added: ‘‘India has done extremely well as far as varietal crops are concerned. We need to asses the situation and act accordingly.’’

The DG said ICAR had to rely on the Met department’s monsoon predictions. Referring to its forecast of normal rainfall, he added: ‘‘If that is going to happen let us hope that the monsoon behaves and moves forward with far greater velocity… with no wide gaps after onset.’’ The delayed monsoon has caused concern about the kharif season.

Genetic rice partner

NEW DELHI: The Indian Council for Agricuture Research and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are entering into a partnership for genetic enhancement of rice. DG ICAR Dr Mangala Rai announced on Wednesday that the government is putting in Rs 12 crore for this partnership in ‘‘functional genomics’’. IRRI has also come up with a second variety of the controversial golden rice.