India’s agriculture ministry is preparing contingency measures to address the potential impact of El Nino on the kharif cropping season, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says. The government is working on plans aimed at reducing risk to crop production, with an emphasis on identifying where weather disruptions could occur and shifting to suitable alternatives.
Chouhan also states that the ministry is in the process of identifying districts that may require alternative crops. Alongside this, officials are working to ensure that required inputs, including seeds, are available should El Nino conditions affect rainfall patterns during the kharif period.
The Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra adds that the government’s core priorities include crop diversification, agricultural self-reliance, and sustainability. He urges states to align their agricultural plans with these priorities to improve preparedness at the local level.
Overall, both statements describe a coordinated approach involving district-level planning, crop substitution and input readiness, along with broader policy goals focused on resilience in agriculture.
