NEW DELHI: With the southwest monsoon showing signs of weakness and concerns growing over a possible El Niño impact, the Centre has rolled out a nationwide contingency plan to safeguard the Kharif season and protect farmers from potential crop losses.
At a high-level review meeting on Monday, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government was preparing in advance rather than waiting for the situation to worsen. The meeting brought together state agriculture ministers, district collectors, officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), ICAR and other agencies to assess preparedness measures.
The Centre has identified 315 districts across the country as potentially vulnerable to deficient rainfall. Of these, 111 districts with irrigation coverage below 25% have been classified as high-priority areas. Several districts in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are among those under close monitoring.
To minimise the impact of a weak monsoon, district-specific contingency plans have been prepared by ICAR and its research institutions. These plans focus on alternative cropping patterns, crop diversification, efficient water management and measures to support farmers in rain-fed regions.
The government has also directed states to intensify water conservation efforts by restoring ponds, check dams, farm reservoirs and other local water bodies. Authorities have been asked to prioritise drinking water supply and strengthen irrigation management in vulnerable districts.
Farmers are being encouraged to shift towards short-duration and low-water-consuming crops, including pulses, millets and oilseeds. Mixed farming and intercropping practices are also being promoted to reduce risk and improve resilience.
Chouhan said adequate stocks of seeds and fertilisers have been arranged, with additional reserves kept ready for areas that may require re-sowing. Measures are also being taken to ensure fodder availability and prevent shortages in livestock-dependent regions.
The Centre has strengthened monitoring through a dedicated El Niño Monitoring Cell and Crop Weather Watch Group, while crop insurance, Kisan Credit Cards and PM-KISAN benefits will serve as key financial safeguards for farmers.
“There is no need for panic. We are fully prepared to deal with any challenge arising from a weak monsoon,” Chouhan said.
