The ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has said that there is no cause for concern over the delay of rains in the country.

ICAR Director-General S Ayyappan told Business Line here on Tuesday that moisture in the fields was good thanks to good rains last year.

The moisture present in the soil can take care of the needs for now.

Yield may hit Scant rains delayed sowings in several parts of the country. Scarce rains for over a month have delayed sowings in several parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The delay in the spread of monsoon could impact yield levels.

“There is still time and we can wait for 15-20 days more. There is no need to panic,” Swapan Dutta, Deputy Director-General of ICAR, said.

The ICAR officials were here in connection with the inaugural of 100th Foundation Course of Agricultural Research Services at the National Academy of Agricultural Research.

“The condition is far better than 2009. We are assured of rains in July-August,” Ayyappan said.

The Council had suggested to the farmers to go for short-term crops, coarse cereals and millets to mitigate the adverse conditions.

Climate resilience Earlier in the day, Ayyappan, who is also the Secretary in Department of Agricultural Research and Education , inaugurated phenotyping platform facility at the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture here.

The facility was set up under the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture project launched by ICAR to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies to deal with climate change impact.

“We are planning similar centres in Delhi, Bangalore and Pune,” he said.

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