State foresees 20 pc shortfall in food production

Speaking to reporters, he said nearly 100 taluks had been declared drought-hit in the State.

Against the normal rainfall of 804 mm, the State received only 766 mm rainfall in the monsoon season. In Kharif season, the total area sown is seven per cent less than the target. In Rabi, the shortage in sowing is 33 per cent, he added.

Besides, standing crop on 21 lakh hectares has been damaged due to drought. Hence, the department has estimated about 20 per cent shortfall in food production. The department had set the target of producing 130 lakh tonnes of food grains this year, he said.

He said the State government has submitted a preliminary report on the prevailing drought and sought Rs 723 crore as compensation.