Centre Steps Up Kharif Preparedness Amid El Niño Concerns

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th July: The Centre has intensified its preparedness for the Kharif season amid concerns over a possible El Niño impact, with weekly reviews, contingency planning and farmer support measures being implemented to minimise the effects of monsoon uncertainty.

Addressing the media after a high-level review meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the southwest monsoon has improved in July after a 33% rainfall deficit in June, reducing the overall deficit to 24%. The number of rainfall-deficient districts has also fallen from 262 to 178.

The government is closely monitoring the monsoon situation in several states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal and Odisha.

Chouhan said 350.85 lakh hectares have been covered under Kharif sowing so far, around 91.95 lakh hectares lower than the corresponding period last year due to delayed rains. Farmers have been advised to opt for short-duration and low water-intensive crops such as maize, bajra and moong wherever necessary.

The Minister said contingency plans were prepared with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in April and shared with states. The government has also maintained a national seed reserve of 1.75 lakh quintals, expanded the Kisan Credit Card campaign and intensified enrolment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

He added that the El Niño Monitoring Cell, Crop Weather Watch Group, state control rooms and designated officials are continuously tracking weather, crop conditions and market trends to ensure timely interventions and support for farmers.