Weather Derivatives-Are you willing to hedge the monsoon With special reference to Agriculture Sector in India

Abstract

With drought looming large over 14 meteorological sub-divisions, spare a thought for the planted crops that are in grave danger. For the farmers in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttrakhand this monsoon has brought everything except the much-needed moisture. "Come rainy season and nearly 59 per cent of the Indian population, the people dependent on agriculture, keep their fingers crossed. Some pray to the rain God to ensure that it does not pour so hard that their crops get destroyed. On the other hand, in some villages, the farmers tie two frogs to a pole and get them married, a superstition which is supposed to bring good rainfall, Superstitions apart, the seriousness of weather cannot be overemphasised. India, as a country, faces great variations in weather conditions due to its diverse geographical structure. While some places are hit by flood, some others by drought, rising temperatures are scaling new peaks and chilling winters are breaking old records. Such diversity in weather conditions affects the business processes of many industries directly or indirectly giving agriculture the greater break. Is weather derivates the one of the solutions to the sight for agricultural risk bearing safety? This paper aims to examine the state of risk management in agriculture of India, evaluate the effectiveness of weather derivatives as risk management tools and basic framework required to hedge them.