GREEN
DROUGHT - AGRICULTURE
News: Karnataka facing ‘green drought’ in
several parts with nil or severely reduced yield, says Minister
What's
in the news?
●
With the Centre’s drought review team
starting its tour of 13 drought-affected districts in Karnataka, the State
government has urged the team to understand the impact of rainfall deficiency
on agriculture rather than arriving at a conclusion looking at the standing
crops.
Green
Drought:
●
Green drought is when the vegetation may appear green on the top, but
there is stunted growth and soil moisture stress for more than a month
impacting yield drastically.
●
This phenomenon is particularly
problematic because it can be challenging to detect and monitor.
Green
drought situation in Karnataka:
●
There are 15 states that are facing
drought, only Karnataka has declared drought and approached the Centre so far.
Go
back to basics:
Other
Types of Droughts:
Meteorological
Drought:
●
It is the simple absence/deficit of rainfall from the normal. It is the least severe
form of drought and is often identified by sunny days and hot weather.
Hydrological
Drought:
●
It leads to reduction of natural stream flows or ground water levels, plus
stored water supplies. Main impact is on water resource systems.
Agricultural
Drought:
●
It occurs when moisture level in soil is insufficient to maintain average crop
yields. Initial consequences are in the reduced seasonal output of crops and
other related production.
●
An extreme agriculture drought can lead to
a famine, which is a prolonged shortage of food in a restricted region causing
widespread disease and death from starvation.