UNION MINISTER REVIEWED SITUATION ARISING OUT OF EL NINO

UNION MINISTER REVIEWED SITUATION ARISING OUT OF EL NINO

25-JUNE-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI----------------------------The Central Government has intensified its preparations for the Kharif season in light of the potential impact of El Niño and a weak or erratic monsoon. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, reviewed the nationwide situation today during a high-level virtual meeting with state agriculture ministers, senior officials, district collectors, and experts from ICAR, ICAR-CRIDA, and the IMD. He assured farmers that the central and state governments are working together to make all possible preparations.

Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan noted that the monsoon is significantly delayed this year, with rainfall recorded at approximately 43 percent below normal so far. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts, rainfall is likely to remain deficient during the week leading up to July 2. This implies a potential impact on Kharif crops, particularly in regions where agriculture relies entirely on the monsoon.

In view of this potential risk, the Central Government, under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been engaged in proactive preparations for some time. Shivraj Singh stated that the government is not merely waiting for the situation to worsen but is actively working on scientific planning and ground-level implementation to minimize the impact and safeguard farmers' livelihoods.

Shivraj Singh explained that the Ministry of Agriculture and ICAR have jointly assessed—based on scientific data—districts at high risk of low rainfall and irrigation shortages. It is estimated that the monsoon may remain weak in approximately 315 districts.

Of these, 111 districts are classified as high-priority, with irrigation coverage of less than 25 percent. Seventy-six districts fall under the medium-priority category, having irrigation facilities covering 25–50 percent of the area. Finally, 128 districts are categorized as low-priority, where relatively better irrigation is available through dams and other sources. A significant number of these districts are located across 12 states: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Detailed discussions were held with the agriculture ministers and district collectors of these states, urging them to accelerate preparedness at the local level.

Union Minister Shri Chouhan stated that ICAR and ICAR-CRIDA have prepared District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for all these districts. These plans outline specific measures tailored to each district's climate, cropping patterns, water resources, and risk factors—such as identifying alternative crops for low-rainfall scenarios, devising crop-switching strategies, optimizing water usage, and creating new income avenues while mitigating risks.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan clearly instructed state and district administrations to ensure that the DACPs are implemented on the ground rather than remaining confined to files. He directed that these plans be immediately reviewed and updated based on local conditions to serve as "operational plans," enabling their immediate implementation whenever the need arises. He emphasized that the success of any contingency plan hinges on its ground-level execution; therefore, district administrations should treat this as a priority and implement the plans with full vigor.

Amidst the apprehension of a weak monsoon, water conservation has been accorded top priority. Union Minister Shivraj Singh stated that "every single drop of water is precious to us, and planning is being undertaken with this mindset."

During the meeting, he directed that structures such as ponds, reservoirs, drains, farm ponds, check dams, stop dams, and sandbag barriers be immediately repaired and strengthened. He emphasized prioritizing water conservation and harvesting activities under MGNREGA and ongoing rural development programs—such as 'Viksit Bharat'—to simultaneously generate employment and increase water storage capacity. Drinking water supply must be accorded top priority in vulnerable districts, with arrangements made to transport water from surplus areas to water-scarce regions if necessary. A basin-wise presentation on reservoir storage levels revealed that while some basins have better-than-normal storage, others show deficits ranging from 20% to 60%; based on this data, states were asked to determine their own priorities.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan clarified that altering crop strategies in rain-fed areas is the need of the hour. Efforts should be made to promote crop varieties that mature quickly and yield well with minimal water. Farmers should adopt crop diversification to reduce reliance on a single crop and distribute risk across multiple crops. Practices like intercropping and mixed farming should be encouraged so that income remains secure even if one crop is affected. He placed special emphasis on crops such as pulses, millets ('Shree Anna'), and oilseeds, which perform well even with limited soil moisture. States were also instructed to immediately implement alternative cropping plans if there is a significant mismatch between the standard sowing period and rainfall patterns. Union Minister Chouhan stated, "We will not let fields lie fallow; there will be enough rainfall to support at least some crop, and our preparations are aligned with this expectation."

Providing detailed information on seed and fertilizer availability during a press conference, Union Minister Shivraj Singh stated that adequate seed arrangements for the Kharif season have already been made, and additional seed stocks have been secured for potentially affected districts. Approximately 1 percent of additional seed stock has been specifically reserved for districts where re-sowing might become necessary. He stated that, according to a report by the Ministry of Fertilizers, the availability of all major fertilizers—including Urea, DAP, MOP, NPK, and SSP—is satisfactory for the Kharif season. Separate monitoring is being conducted to ensure timely delivery and distribution in districts likely to experience a weak monsoon, enabling farmers to commence sowing immediately once rainfall conditions become favorable.

Emphasizing scientific advice, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh urged farmers to begin sowing only after receiving 75 to 100 millimeters of cumulative rainfall and ensuring adequate soil moisture. Rushing to sow after scanty rainfall increases the risk of seed failure and the subsequent need for re-sowing.

Highlighting the pivotal role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and agrometeorological units in delivering timely and clear advice to farmers, Union Minister Shivraj Singh noted that the country has 731 KVKs, which serve as the primary link for disseminating technical guidance and information on seed and crop management. KVKs and agrometeorological advisory units have been instructed to collaborate closely with district authorities and provide continuous guidance to farmers regarding the potential impact of El Niño and the implications of a weak monsoon. Emphasis has been placed on utilizing various channels for information dissemination, including agrometeorological advisories, SMS and WhatsApp messages, call centers, radio, television, and social media platforms. The objective is to ensure that every farmer receives timely information and accurate advice, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding sowing, crop diversification, and input usage in accordance with scientific protocols.

Addressing concerns about potential fodder shortages for livestock due to a weak monsoon, Minister Shivraj Singh acknowledged that a significant monsoon deficit could lead to a fodder crisis. In anticipation of this, plans are being formulated to arrange advance supplies from districts or states with surplus fodder to regions facing a deficit. Arrangements regarding fodder stocking, alternative fodder sources, and supply chains are being planned in advance to prevent sudden difficulties for livestock farmers. The central and state governments will jointly strengthen monitoring mechanisms to curb the black marketing and hoarding of fodder.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that preparations regarding crops and water alone are insufficient; ensuring the financial security of farmers is equally critical. There is a focus on expanding the coverage of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in districts likely to be affected, ensuring timely compensation for farmers in the event of crop loss. Instructions have been issued to accelerate the issuance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to farmers who do not yet possess them, ensuring they have adequate resources for situations such as seed failure, re-sowing, or other agricultural investments. Referring to the recent installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), he noted that farmers could utilize these funds to procure seeds, fertilizers, and other essential agricultural inputs. He stated that the PMFBY, KCC, and PM-Kisan schemes would collectively serve as a vital support system for farmers during challenges like El Niño.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the success of any contingency plan hinges on its implementation at the district level. With this in mind, a multi-tiered coordination framework has been established, assigning specific responsibilities across central, state, district, block, and village levels. Systems are being put in place to facilitate regular meetings and real-time data sharing among District Collectors, the Agriculture Department, and agencies responsible for water resources, rural development, animal husbandry, KVKs, and ATMA. An "El Niño Monitoring Cell" and a "Crop Weather Watch Group" have been constituted in Delhi to continuously analyze monsoon progress, crop sowing, crop conditions, input supplies, and market trends. States have also been directed to establish control rooms and appoint nodal officers to coordinate with the central government; most states have already nominated their nodal officers. Union Minister Shri Chouhan mentioned that weekly reviews are being conducted at the Secretary level, and he personally reviews the situation regarding El Niño every Tuesday. Several key production targets set for the 2025 Kharif season—such as those for paddy, maize, and total food grains—have already been achieved or surpassed. A target of approximately 176 million tonnes of food grains has been set for the 2026 Kharif season, determined by taking into account monsoon forecasts, Minimum Support Price (MSP), demand, past trends, and government schemes. With robust storage and buffer stock levels for both rice and wheat, there is no immediate threat to food security despite the apprehension of a weak monsoon.

Addressing the nation's farmers directly during a press conference, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that despite the potential for a weak monsoon, the country is prepared to face the crisis collectively. He emphasized that the need is for preparedness and collective action, not panic. If the central and state governments, scientific institutions, district administrations, and farmers work in a coordinated manner, the challenge posed by El Niño can be transformed into an opportunity; water conservation, crop diversification, technical advice, and social security schemes can combine to form a protective shield for farmers.

He expressed confidence that through collective efforts, the country's agriculture, livestock, and rural economy would be safeguarded against major difficulties, and farmers' livelihoods would be strengthened in every possible way.