Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Jharkhand MLA Jairam Mahto has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, expressing concern over the state’s weak monsoon this year and urging the government to take immediate measures to mitigate its impact on agriculture, rural livelihoods and employment.
In his letter, Mahto said the deficient monsoon could have a severe impact on farming, water resources and the rural economy, as agriculture in Jharkhand remains largely dependent on seasonal rainfall. He noted that June this year was among the driest in the country in the past century and warned that the lack of rainfall could significantly affect kharif crop sowing and agricultural production.
Highlighting the state’s irrigation challenges, the MLA said that more than half of Jharkhand’s cultivable land still lacks irrigation facilities, making farmers highly vulnerable to erratic weather. He cautioned that poor crop yields could trigger unemployment, loss of livelihoods and a deepening economic crisis in rural areas.
Mahto stressed that the government should focus on protecting farmers’ incomes and improving the earnings of agricultural and rural labourers, warning that stagnant wages and falling farm incomes could weaken the rural economy. He also called for measures to ensure food security for economically weaker sections.
The legislator urged the state government to create more employment opportunities in non-farm sectors in rural areas to reduce dependence on agriculture. He warned that prolonged rainfall deficiency could lead to a fresh wave of migration and suggested the immediate formation of a Migrant Workers Commission to address the issue.
Mahto also called on the government to consider increasing the number of workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and doubling wages under the scheme. He further urged the government to expedite efforts to resolve the pending High Court matter related to providing 75 per cent employment to local residents in private farming activities.
Describing the emerging drought situation as a serious challenge, Mahto said the state should move beyond relief measures and adopt a comprehensive strategy focused on strengthening agricultural policy, expanding irrigation, conserving water resources and generating rural employment. He said timely intervention was essential to safeguard farmers and protect the state’s rural economy.
