Government Prepared to Formulate Emergency Plan in View of El Niño Threat

28-May-2026 08:36 PM

New Delhi. In light of severe heat, a deficit in rainfall, and the potential threat posed by the El Niño weather cycle, the risks associated with the sowing and growth of crops during the Kharif season have increased significantly. While the sowing process is set to commence next month, weather conditions currently remain adverse.

Anticipating these potential future threats, the Union Ministry of Agriculture has initiated preparations to formulate an emergency (or disaster contingency) plan. According to the Agriculture Minister, the Central Government is fully prepared to neutralize any adverse impact that the El Niño weather cycle may have on Kharif crops this year and is taking all necessary precautionary measures. The government is also moving forward with its efforts to make the country self-reliant in the production of pulses and oilseeds.

The Agriculture Minister emphasized that, rather than being anxious about the El Niño weather cycle, the focus should be on making adequate preparations to mitigate its impact. Emergency plans will be formulated for districts likely to be affected, and the option of switching to alternative crops will be considered wherever deemed necessary. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the two-day National Kharif Conference, the Agriculture Minister stated that the government is keeping a close watch on the entire situation and is undertaking every possible preparatory measure.

The Ministry of Agriculture is currently engaged in identifying districts suitable for alternative crops, ensuring that seeds will be readily available in these areas should the impact of El Niño materialize. It is understood that certain districts across the country may face the threat of severe drought. In such scenarios—where initial sowing fails to result in germination or crops wither due to a lack of water—the sowing of alternative crops requiring less water for irrigation can be initiated.

In view of the potential onset of El Niño this year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that rainfall across the country is likely to fall below the normal average—a projection that the Ministry of Agriculture is taking with utmost seriousness.