The Government of India has intensified its Kharif preparedness as the threat of El Niño looms over the southwest monsoon.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Centre has activated a comprehensive strategy to protect farmers from potential monsoon disruptions.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the monsoon deficit, which stood at 33% in June, has improved to 24% in July. He noted that rainfall-deficient districts have reduced from 262 to 178, bringing relief to farmers across several states.
The Centre is closely monitoring conditions in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Odisha. Chouhan expressed confidence that rainfall will strengthen further, accelerating Kharif sowing.
Kharif sowing has covered 350.85 lakh hectares, about 91.95 lakh hectares less than last year. The delay affected soybean and cotton crops, prompting advisories for farmers to shift to short-duration and low-water-intensive crops like maize, bajra, and moong.
The government began preparations in April, formulating district-level contingency plans with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Under the Khet Bachao Abhiyan, over 1.24 lakh programs reached 80 lakh farmers nationwide.
A national seed reserve of 1.75 lakh quintals ensures uninterrupted sowing, while the Kisan Credit Card campaign has approved 94,000 applications. Efforts under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana aim to expand insurance coverage for crop loss protection.
Chouhan said the Centre’s El Niño Monitoring Cell, Crop Weather Watch Group, and State Control Rooms are tracking rainfall, crop conditions, and market trends to ensure timely interventions.
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