El Niño Crop Threat
India Warns El Niño May Threaten Winter Rabi Crops Amid Growing Moisture Concerns
Anonymous
India’s upcoming winter rabi crop season could be difficult for rainfed regions as El Niño raises the risk of deficient rainfall and prolonged moisture stress, while other areas may face excess soil moisture. Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra warned that foodgrain production could be affected, following a challenging kharif season in which weak and erratic rainfall hindered crop coverage and survival. Officials and agricultural experts are urging locally tailored preparedness, including district-level contingency planning and improved water management. Chandra also called for crop diversification and more sustainable agriculture to strengthen resilience and improve farmer incomes, noting that climate-related extremes are already damaging crops in irrigated areas.
Key Points
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India is self-reliant in cereals but continues to import pulses, oilseeds and some horticultural products, including fruits, Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra noted.
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Rabi crops are typically sown across about 638 lakh hectares: wheat accounts for more than 300 lakh hectares, pulses about 140 lakh, oilseeds 87 lakh and coarse cereals 55 lakh.
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ICAR Director General Mangi Lal Jat said district-level contingency plans had been prepared to help farmers and local administrations respond to weather disruptions. A dynamic dashboard has also been developed to support decision-making and track conditions during the season.
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The World Meteorological Organization has cautioned that risks from extreme weather events—including floods, droughts and heatwaves—are increasing globally.
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