El Nino: Agriculture Minister calls for advance contingency planning in rain-deficient districts
New Delhi, June 16
As the El Nino threat looms, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday stressed the need for advance contingency planning in rain-deficient districts, while also pushing for increased acreage under cotton and pulses.
In a high-level weekly agriculture review meeting with senior officials held at Krishi Bhawan here, a detailed review was conducted of the nationwide preparations for Kharif 2026.
During the meeting, while discussing the possible El Nino situation, officials were directed to ensure complete preparations in advance in those districts where there is a likelihood of low rainfall or uneven distribution of rains.
"Such districts should be identified, and crop-wise contingency plans should be prepared in collaboration with state governments, so that in the event of any weather-related challenge, farmers can be immediately provided with alternatives, advice, and assistance," Chouhan said.
While reviewing the crop-wise targets, sowing progress, and state-wise preparations for Kharif 2026, there was a special discussion on increasing cotton production.
"Emphasis was placed on promoting measures such as scientific methods, selection of appropriate varieties, intercropping, mulching, and moisture conservation on a large scale, so that both cotton productivity and farmers' income can increase," the minister said in a post on X.
There was also a detailed discussion on the Pulse Self-Reliance Mission.
"Our effort is to make the country increasingly self-reliant in pulses like pigeon pea, black gram, and green gram, and to secure farmers' income," said the minister.
The government is already preparing for a weaker monsoon due to the El Nino phenomenon. India is better positioned to withstand the impact of a potentially weak monsoon and emerging El Nino conditions this year, backed by higher reservoir levels, record foodgrain stocks and structural improvements in the economy.
Reservoir storage levels stood at 30.4 per cent of full reservoir capacity in May 2026, higher than the average 25.1 per cent recorded during previous El Nino years between 2015-16 and 2023-24, according to latest data.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, they're talking about pulses self-reliance! As someone who cooks daily, I see the price of tur dal skyrocket every year. But just planning isn't enough—why not open more government procurement centers in rural areas? My family in Karnataka still sells pulses to middlemen who pay peanuts. Hope the Kharif targets are met with real action. 🌾
El Nino is a real threat, but I think India has learned from past failures. The reservoir levels being higher than usual is a positive sign. But what about insurance? Most small farmers in my area don't even know how to claim crop insurance. The government should run awareness camps along with these contingency plans. Good article though.
Cotton production push? While I support our cotton farmers, we must also ensure fair prices. My uncle in Gujarat got good yields last year but still struggled with MSP issues. If the government focuses on increasing acreage, they should simultaneously strengthen the price support mechanism. Otherwise, more production won't mean more income for farmers. 🧵
I appreciate the proactive approach, but let's be real—this kind of announcement happens every year when El Nino is predicted. What changes on the ground? The article mentions 'scientific methods' and 'intercropping,' but do our agricultural extension services actually deliver this knowledge to small farmers? I hope this time the preparation is genuine and not just another press release.
Very informative! As a student of agriculture economics, this makes me hopeful. The focus on pulses self-reliance is crucial—we import
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