Amidst the looming agrarian crisis and reports of farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh, the peasants are once again under dues as the state stares at a possible drought. This year, Rabi sowing area is all set to go down, thereby affecting the wheat production. Last year, wheat was sown on about 64 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh. This may go down to about 52 lakh hectares this year. Wheat may be replaced by gram. The minister said that about 90% of sowing has been done in the state. The farmers have almost finished sowing. Now, it all depends on the availability of water in the coming months. I have no hesitation in admitting that there is water scarcity because of monsoon deficit, adding that the government was monitoring the situation and will ensure the optimum use of available water. Rabi crops this year are likely to be affected the most in northern MP’s Gwalior and Chambal divisions and the districts under the Rewa division owing to scanty rainfall in these regions.