Haryana-Punjab can save the country from inflation and El-Nino
Haryana and Punjab, these are the two states of India which feed the nation. But do you know that today when the country’s economy is struggling with rising inflation and the threat of El Nino, these two states have the power to handle the Indian economy. Yes, since the advent of the Green Revolution, these two states Has been the center of food security. Even though the share of these two states in the central government’s food procurement has decreased in the last two decades, but even now their strong presence cannot be denied. Two decades ago, the government used to buy 90 percent wheat and 45 percent rice from these two states Was. Now even though their share has reduced, the government still buys 70 per cent wheat and 30 per cent rice from these two states.
This changed with time and in 2019-20, Madhya Pradesh topped the procurement of wheat by the central government. Similarly, in the case of rice too, Telangana has clearly moved up to the No.2 position by leaving the top contributors Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and it is discussed that it will soon reach the No.1 position as well. However, Punjab is still at number one. In the financial year 2019-20, the central government bought 129.42 lakh tonnes of wheat from Madhya Pradesh, while Punjab’s contribution was only 127.14 lakh tonnes. Similarly, in the case of rice also, Telangana continues to be the second largest contributor state from 2019-20.
This is how Punjab-Haryana should handle the economy in case of bad monsoon
Even though the share of Punjab-Haryana in government procurement is declining, the states that have moved ahead compared to Punjab and Haryana are all largely weather-dependent. That is why wheat production in Madhya Pradesh fell due to sudden increase in heat in March 2022 and heavy rains in March 2023. The procurement of wheat from Madhya Pradesh has come down from 13 million tonnes to 46 lakh tonnes in the financial year 2021-22. In the financial year 2022-23, it increased but could reach only 71 lakh tonnes, that is, Madhya Pradesh lagged far behind Punjab.
Punjab-Haryana will be saved from inflation and El-Nino!
Now talking about the status of this year’s monsoon, seasonal changes can be seen due to El-Nino. This will affect food production. In such a situation, the production of wheat or rice may decrease in other states, but Punjab-Haryana will remain untouched by this. One reason for this is that most of the states of India depend on the monsoon coming from the south-west. Till June 25 this year, the country has received only 27.7 per cent monsoon rains, which is much less than the average. An El Nino is likely to form in the Pacific Ocean in August, affecting monsoon rains for the rest of the season.