Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asserted that the government is moving forward with “complete preparedness” to counter the potential impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon on the upcoming Kharif season, insisting that there is no room for fear among farmers .
“Preparation, not fear, will be our guiding principle. Farmers’ welfare is paramount for us. The government is fully prepared to address the potential El Niño impact,” Chouhan said following a high-level review of the agriculture sector’s preparedness .
Comfortable reservoir levels and seed buffers
The government’s confidence is underpinned by comfortable reservoir storage across the country. Officials said reservoir storage is currently at 127 per cent of the normal level for this time of year, providing a significant cushion for irrigation during the crop season .
On the seed front, availability exceeds demand. As against the total demand of 173 lakh quintals for the Kharif season, there is a stock of 192 lakh quintals . A buffer stock of 1.74 lakh quintals is also being maintained by the National Seed Corporation to deal with emergency situations .
“In recent years, technological advancements, better agricultural management, water conservation, expansion of irrigation networks, and use of improved seeds have brought greater stability to crop productivity,” the ministry noted .
‘Save the Fields’ campaign from June 1
The Centre has launched a month-long ‘Save the Fields’ campaign from June 1, offering crop-specific advisories and climate-resilient farming guidance .
Chouhan said the campaign would focus on helping farmers make informed decisions on crop selection, diversification, fertiliser use and water management in response to evolving weather risks . More than 1,600 teams comprising scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), ICAR institutes, and agriculture department officials have been constituted across the country to ensure field-level advice reaches farmers .
“The objective is not merely to disseminate information but to ensure that farmers receive field-level advice on what to sow, where to diversify and which alternatives are better suited in areas facing rainfall deficits or higher climatic risks,” Chouhan said .
Contingency plans activated
The Agriculture Ministry has set up a crop weather watch group that meets every Monday to study rainfall patterns, sowing progress, reservoir status, and pest incidence . A separate crisis management group comprising relief commissioners and state disaster management authorities has also been formed .
States have been asked to maintain a seed reserve equivalent to one per cent of requirement, with a focus on short- and medium-duration crop varieties . District-level contingency plans are being prepared in collaboration with ICAR and shared with state governments .
Farmers urged to practice soil test-based fertilization
A key focus of the government’s strategy is balanced fertiliser use. Chouhan has directed officials to intensify efforts to reduce excessive application of chemical fertilisers, particularly urea, which has been identified as a major contributor to declining soil health .
“The focus should be on saving the field, reducing cultivation costs and ensuring the farmer gets the right advice at the right time,” Chouhan said . Farmers are being encouraged to adopt soil test-based nutrient application and increase the use of green manure and organic inputs .
Historical perspective and resilience
The ministry noted that between 2000 and 2016, the impact of El Niño on agricultural production was relatively more pronounced, as rainfall dependency was higher at that time, and arrangements to deal with climate risks were limited compared to the present .
“Despite the potential El Nino impact, its effect on the agriculture sector is likely to remain relatively limited compared to previous instances,” the ministry statement said, citing improved water availability, micro-irrigation, scientific advisories, and crop diversification as key factors that have made farming more efficient and adaptable .
Chouhan expressed confidence that through better water management, technological developments, advanced farming practices, and timely preparations, the impact of potential challenges can be minimised, and farmers’ interests will be fully protected .
