Need monsoon management strategy: MSSRF

With the India Meteorlogical Department (IMD) forecasting deficit monsoon this year, leading scientific research centre in the country M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) on Thursday said that it was time to be ready with a deficit monsoon management strategy.

“Such a strategy should be prepared jointly with farm families by Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutions and Agricultural departments,” eminent agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan said.

Pointing out that  IMD has forecast that the total rainfall this year may be 93 per cent normal with 35 per cent probability of deficient monsoon, he said special attention should be paid to feeding and saving farm animals .

“Forewarned is forearmed. Therefore we should start preparing contingency plans to suit different rainfall probabilities such as seed banks and rainwater harvesting and efficient use procedures,” MSSRF founder said.