Give succour to drought hit: Pawar to states

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Friday asked the states to take immediate steps to provide relief to the drought affected, especially small and marginal farmers.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Friday asked the states to take immediate steps to provide relief to the drought affected, especially small and marginal farmers.

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Pawar described the situation in 246 districts in 10 states as "grim", and said agriculture departments in the states must gear up their machinery to ensure that farmers are fully supported at this critical times.

Pawar also said rabi crops can be planted early and over a large area to make for the kharif losses due to a poor and erratic monsoon.

"This is good opportunity to ensure that wheat is sown in time particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh Bihar and West Bengal," Pawar said addressing state agriculture ministers in New Delhi.