'We need not lose confidence in ourselves,' Mukherjee said, adding that the country had both the expertise and capacity to deal with drought and would certainly overcome the situation.

He said all this was because of steps taken by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh since it first assumed office in May 2004 to significantly raise the support prices for grains.

'Take any period or any span of five years and you will never find such -- almost 150 percent -- increase in support price for wheat and paddy. And the country benefited from it.'

Earlier, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told the conference that though farmers were expected to sow their winter crops over a larger area to offset the current losses, the situation remained disturbing.

'The situation is grim. Not just for crop sowing and crop health but also for sustaining animal health, providing drinking water, livelihood and food, particularly for the small and marginal farmers and landless labourers,' Pawar said.

Friday's meeting followed another with chief ministers, presided over by the prime minister last weekend, where he urged all state governments to draw up contingency plans to deal with the drought situation without delay.

'The need is for us to act promptly, collectively and effectively. I assure you of our government's full support regarding any additional assistance that may be required in your efforts. In no case should we allow citizens to go hungry,' he had said.