Ranchi: With state recording a significant rainfall deficit amid concerns over the El Niño, state agriculture minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Friday held a review meeting with officials to handle a possible drought in the state.Tirkey said Jharkhand was the first state to submit its contingency plan to the Centre in view of a possible drought, and an action plan was prepared in May.She said, “The state has recorded nearly 54% less than normal rain so far due to the El Niño effect, with Palamu emerging as the worst-affected district and parts of North Chotanagpur division also witnessing a significant rainfall shortfall.”She informed that paddy nurseries have been prepared in only 20-30% of the total agricultural area. “However, if good rainfall over the next 10 days happen, the sowing coverage could increase to around 60% by July 15,” she said, directing districts to organise a three-day millet registration drive at the panchayat level to encourage cultivation of low-water crops.
