{"id":11302,"date":"2026-06-23T16:46:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T16:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=11302"},"modified":"2026-06-23T16:46:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T16:46:54","slug":"centre-reviews-kharif-preparedness-amid-el-nino-concerns-shivraj-singh-chouhan-chairs-high-level-meeting-with-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeaglenews.co.in\/?p=11302","title":{"rendered":"Centre Reviews Kharif Preparedness Amid El Ni\u00f1o Concerns; Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chairs High-Level Meeting with States."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Centre Reviews Kharif Preparedness Amid El Ni\u00f1o Concerns; Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chairs High-Level Meeting with States.<\/h1>\n

Special Contingency Plan Prepared for 315 Vulnerable Districts as Weak Monsoon Threat Looms.<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

New Delhi:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With concerns mounting over a possible El Ni\u00f1o event and a significantly delayed southwest monsoon, the Central Government has intensified preparations for the 2026 Kharif season. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday chaired a high-level virtual meeting involving state agriculture ministers, senior government officials, district collectors, scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, and experts from the India Meteorological Department to assess the country’s preparedness for a potentially weak monsoon season.<\/p>\n

Addressing the media after the meeting, Chouhan assured farmers that both the Centre and state governments are taking proactive steps to safeguard agriculture and rural livelihoods from any adverse effects of rainfall deficiency.<\/p>\n

Rainfall Deficit Raises Concern for Kharif Crops<\/h4>\n

According to the minister, the southwest monsoon is running significantly behind schedule this year, with rainfall recorded so far nearly 43 percent below normal levels. Forecasts from the IMD indicate that rainfall is likely to remain subdued through the week ending July 2.<\/p>\n

The delayed and weak monsoon poses a serious threat to Kharif crops, particularly in rainfed regions where agriculture depends heavily on seasonal rainfall. Chouhan emphasized that the government is not waiting for conditions to worsen and has already begun implementing scientific and administrative measures to minimize risks.<\/p>\n

“We are preparing in advance, not waiting for a crisis,” he said, highlighting the government’s focus on preventive action rather than reactive measures.<\/p>\n

315 Districts Identified as Vulnerable<\/h4>\n

The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with ICAR, has identified 315 districts across the country that could face adverse impacts due to low rainfall and limited irrigation coverage.<\/p>\n

These districts have been classified into three categories:<\/p>\n

111 high-priority districts with irrigation coverage below 25 percent.<\/p>\n

76 medium-priority districts with irrigation coverage between 25 and 50 percent.<\/p>\n

128 low-priority districts with comparatively better irrigation infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Most of these districts are spread across 12 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.<\/p>\n

State governments and district administrations have been directed to expedite preparedness measures and ensure readiness at the grassroots level.<\/p>\n

District Agriculture Contingency Plans Activated<\/h4>\n

As part of its preparedness strategy, ICAR and ICAR-CRIDA have developed District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for every district in the country.<\/p>\n

These plans provide district-specific recommendations based on local climate, cropping patterns, irrigation resources and risk assessments. The plans include guidance on:<\/p>\n

Alternative crops suitable under low-rainfall conditions.<\/p>\n

Crop diversification strategies.<\/p>\n

Efficient water management practices.<\/p>\n

Additional income-generation opportunities for farmers.<\/p>\n

Chouhan stressed that these plans should not remain on paper and must be converted into actionable field-level interventions immediately.<\/p>\n

Water Conservation Becomes Top Priority<\/h4>\n

The government has placed water conservation at the centre of its preparedness strategy.<\/p>\n

States have been instructed to repair and strengthen water-harvesting structures such as: Ponds, Reservoirs, Farm ponds, Check dams, Stop dams and Temporary bunds.<\/p>\n

Water conservation projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other rural development programmes will receive priority to simultaneously boost employment and enhance water storage capacity.<\/p>\n

Sensitive districts have also been advised to prioritize drinking water supply and, where necessary, arrange water transfer from surplus areas to water-deficit regions.<\/p>\n

Reservoir storage levels across river basins were reviewed during the meeting, with some regions reporting storage deficits ranging from 20 to 60 percent.<\/p>\n

Shift Towards Short-Duration and Low-Water Crops<\/h4>\n

Recognizing the challenges posed by uncertain rainfall, the Centre has advised states to promote short-duration crop varieties and crops that require less water while maintaining productivity.<\/p>\n

The government is encouraging farmers to adopt:<\/p>\n

Crop diversification<\/p>\n

Intercropping<\/p>\n

Mixed farming systems<\/p>\n

Special emphasis is being placed on pulses, millets (Shri Anna), and oilseeds, which are considered more resilient under moisture-stressed conditions.<\/p>\n

States have also been directed to switch quickly to alternative crops if delayed rainfall disrupts normal sowing schedules.<\/p>\n

“We will not allow fields to remain vacant. There will be sufficient rainfall for some crop to be cultivated, and our preparations are aligned accordingly,” Chouhan said.<\/p>\n

Adequate Seeds and Fertiliser Stocks Available<\/h4>\n

The Agriculture Ministry has assured that sufficient agricultural inputs are available for the Kharif season.<\/p>\n

Additional seed reserves have been earmarked for vulnerable districts, including a one-percent contingency stock for areas where resowing may become necessary.<\/p>\n

The availability of major fertilisers, including: Urea, DAP, MOP, NPK and SSP has been reported as satisfactory.<\/p>\n

The government has established special monitoring systems to ensure timely delivery of inputs in districts facing weak monsoon conditions.<\/p>\n

Farmers have also been advised not to begin sowing after isolated showers and to wait until cumulative rainfall reaches 75\u2013100 mm and adequate soil moisture is available.<\/p>\n

Scientific Advisories to Reach Every Farmer<\/h4>\n

The country’s 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have been tasked with providing continuous scientific guidance to farmers.<\/p>\n

The advisory network will utilize:<\/p>\n

Agro-Meteorological advisories<\/p>\n

SMS alerts<\/p>\n

WhatsApp messages<\/p>\n

Call centres<\/p>\n

Radio broadcasts<\/p>\n

Television programmes<\/p>\n

Social media platforms<\/p>\n

The objective is to ensure farmers receive timely information regarding sowing decisions, crop changes and input management under evolving weather conditions.<\/p>\n

Fodder Security Measures for Livestock<\/h4>\n

The Centre has also begun preparations to address potential fodder shortages that could arise from prolonged rainfall deficits.<\/p>\n

Plans are being developed to:<\/p>\n

Transport fodder from surplus to deficit regions.<\/p>\n

Build fodder reserves.<\/p>\n

Identify alternative fodder sources.<\/p>\n

Strengthen supply chains.<\/p>\n

Monitoring systems will also be put in place to prevent black marketing and hoarding of fodder.<\/p>\n

PMFBY, KCC and PM-KISAN to Serve as Financial Safety Nets<\/h4>\n

Highlighting the importance of financial protection for farmers, Chouhan said three major government schemes will act as key support mechanisms during the season:<\/p>\n

1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for crop loss compensation.<\/p>\n

2. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for access to affordable credit.<\/p>\n

3. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) for direct income support.<\/p>\n

States have been directed to expand insurance coverage and expedite issuance of Kisan Credit Cards in vulnerable districts.<\/p>\n

Multi-Level Monitoring Framework Established<\/h4>\n

To ensure effective implementation, the Centre has established a multi-tier coordination system involving the Centre, states, districts, blocks and villages.<\/p>\n

An El Ni\u00f1o Monitoring Cell and a Crop Weather Watch Group have been set up in New Delhi to continuously monitor:<\/p>\n

Monsoon progress<\/p>\n

Crop sowing patterns<\/p>\n

Crop health<\/p>\n

Input availability<\/p>\n

Market trends<\/p>\n

States have also been instructed to establish control rooms and appoint nodal officers to coordinate with the Centre.<\/p>\n

Chouhan said secretary-level reviews are being conducted every week, while he personally reviews the El Ni\u00f1o situation every Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Food Security Not Under Threat<\/h4>\n

Despite concerns over the monsoon, the government remains confident about food availability.<\/p>\n

The minister noted that several production targets for Kharif 2025, including rice, maize and total foodgrain output, had already been achieved or exceeded.<\/p>\n

For Kharif 2026, the government has set a foodgrain production target of approximately 176 million tonnes.<\/p>\n

With comfortable buffer stocks of rice and wheat currently available, the government does not foresee any immediate threat to national food security.<\/p>\n

\u2018No Need to Panic,\u2019 Minister Tells Farmers<\/p>\n

Concluding the review, Chouhan urged farmers to remain calm and prepared.<\/p>\n

“There is no need to panic. What is required is preparedness and collective action. If the Centre and states, scientific institutions, district administrations and farmers work in coordination, the challenge posed by El Ni\u00f1o can be converted into an opportunity where water conservation, crop diversification, scientific advisories and social security schemes together provide a protective shield for farmers,” he said.<\/p>\n

The government expressed confidence that through coordinated efforts and timely interventions, India’s agriculture sector, livestock economy and rural livelihoods can be protected from major disruptions despite the challenges posed by a weak monsoon and possible El Ni\u00f1o conditions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Centre Reviews Kharif Preparedness Amid El Ni\u00f1o Concerns; Shivraj Singh Chouhan Chairs High-Level Meeting with States. Special Contingency Plan Prepared for 315 Vulnerable Districts as […]<\/p>\n

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