Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Impact of Erratic Climate on Agricultural Production, 10/03/2017

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Impact of Erratic Climate on Agricultural Production, 10/03/2017. There has been a significant fluctuation in production (as compared to trend) in important foodgrain crops grown in the country during last 10 years (between 2005-06 and 2014-15) due to erratic climatic behaviour (rainfall/droughts). Rice production (89 Mton) had a big dip in drought year 2009-10. Wheat and chickpea production (86.5 and 7.3 Mton respectively) suffered an adverse impact in 2014-15. Production of pearl millet (6.5 Mton) was affected badly in 2009-10. Maize production was robust enough except in year 2009-10 (16.7 Mton). Production of total foodgrains in drought year 2009-10 was 218 Mton as against 265 M ton in good year 2013-14.