Centre Reviews Kharif Preparedness Amid El Niño Concerns
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has intensified preparedness for the Kharif season due to concerns about El Niño and a weak monsoon. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level virtual meeting with Agriculture Ministers of states, senior officials, District Collectors, and experts from ICAR, ICAR-CRIDA, and the India Meteorological Department to review the situation across the country.
Monsoon Conditions and Impact Assessment
The southwest monsoon is significantly delayed this year with rainfall approximately 43% below normal. According to IMD forecasts, rainfall is likely to remain weak during the week ending July 2, which could directly affect Kharif crops, particularly in rainfed regions where agriculture is heavily dependent on monsoon rains.
District-Level Vulnerability Assessment
The Ministry of Agriculture and ICAR jointly assessed districts vulnerable to low rainfall and inadequate irrigation, identifying 315 potentially affected districts. These are categorized into three priority levels: 111 high-priority districts with irrigation coverage below 25%, 76 medium-priority districts with irrigation coverage between 25-50%, and 128 low-priority districts with relatively better irrigation facilities. Most affected districts are located across 12 states: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
Contingency Planning and Implementation
ICAR and ICAR-CRIDA have prepared District Agriculture Contingency Plans for all districts, incorporating district-specific climatic conditions, cropping patterns, water resources, and risk factors. These plans prescribe suitable alternative crops under low rainfall conditions, crop diversification strategies, optimum use of available water resources, and additional income opportunities to mitigate risks. States and district administrations have been directed to translate these plans into actionable field operations.
Water Conservation and Irrigation Management
Water conservation has been accorded top priority with immediate repair and strengthening of ponds, reservoirs, streams, farm ponds, check dams, stop dams, and temporary bunding structures. Water conservation and harvesting works under MGNREGA and forthcoming rural development programmes such as VB-GRAMG will receive priority to enhance water storage capacity while generating employment. Sensitive districts have been advised to prioritize drinking water supply and arrange water transfer from surplus regions to deficit areas where necessary.
Crop Strategy and Diversification
States have been advised to promote short-duration crop varieties capable of delivering higher yields with lower water requirements. Special emphasis has been placed on pulses, millets (Shri Anna), and oilseeds which perform better under limited moisture conditions. Farmers are encouraged to adopt crop diversification, intercropping, and mixed farming practices to distribute risks across multiple crops. Immediate switching to alternative crop options is recommended if there is a prolonged gap between the normal sowing period and the onset of rainfall.
Input Availability and Management
Adequate seed arrangements for the Kharif season have been made with additional seed stocks earmarked for potentially affected districts. Approximately 1% extra seed stock has been reserved specifically for districts where resowing may become necessary. Fertilizer availability for all major types including urea, DAP, MOP, NPK, and SSP is reported as satisfactory for the Kharif season. Separate monitoring mechanisms ensure timely distribution and delivery in vulnerable districts. Farmers are advised to undertake sowing only after cumulative rainfall of 75-100 mm and adequate soil moisture to avoid premature sowing risks.
Scientific Advisory and Information Dissemination
The country's 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras serve as the principal link for delivering technical guidance and crop management information to farmers. KVKs and Agro-Meteorological Advisory Units have been instructed to work closely with districts and continuously guide farmers regarding El Niño and weak monsoon effects. Information dissemination is being strengthened through Agro-Met advisories, SMS, WhatsApp messages, call centers, radio, television broadcasts, and social media platforms.
Livestock and Fodder Management
Advance supply plans are being prepared to transport fodder from surplus regions to deficit areas to address potential shortages. Fodder stocking, alternative fodder sources, and supply chains are being planned in advance to prevent disruptions for livestock owners. The Centre and states will jointly strengthen monitoring mechanisms to prevent black marketing and hoarding of fodder.
Financial Security Measures
Special focus is being placed on expanding coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in potentially affected districts to ensure timely compensation for crop losses. States have been directed to expedite issuance of Kisan Credit Cards to eligible farmers. The recently released instalment under PM-KISAN provides funds that farmers can utilize for seeds, fertilizers, and other essential agricultural inputs. These three schemes together form a comprehensive support system for farmers during El Niño challenges.
Coordination and Monitoring Framework
A multi-tier coordination framework has been developed at Centre, state, district, block, and village levels with clearly defined responsibilities. Regular meetings and real-time data-sharing mechanisms are being established among District Collectors, Agriculture Departments, Water Resources Departments, Rural Development Departments, Animal Husbandry Departments, KVKs, and ATMA. At the national level, an 'El Niño Monitoring Cell' and a 'Crop Weather Watch Group' have been constituted in New Delhi to continuously analyze monsoon progress, crop sowing, crop conditions, input supplies, and market indicators. Secretary-level reviews are conducted weekly, with the Minister personally reviewing the El Niño situation every Tuesday.
Production Targets and Food Security
For Kharif 2026, a foodgrain production target of approximately 176 million tonnes has been set, considering monsoon forecasts, MSP, demand trends, previous performance, and ongoing government schemes. Buffer stocks of both rice and wheat remain comfortable, indicating no immediate threat to food security despite concerns over a weak monsoon.