New Delhi, June 18: The Union Government has issued a warning that El Niño conditions could significantly impact the upcoming Kharif season, placing Odisha among 12 states identified as vulnerable to potential crop stress due to uneven monsoon patterns.
The warning was issued during a high-level review meeting on Kharif 2026 preparedness, where Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed officials to intensify monitoring and adopt a mission-mode approach to safeguard agricultural output across sensitive regions.
Officials said El Niño conditions, often linked to weaker or erratic monsoon rainfall, could affect sowing and crop development in multiple states. Along with Odisha, the advisory covers Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, with Karnataka flagged as one of the most vulnerable regions.
As part of preparedness measures, the Centre has identified 326 high-risk districts nationwide and is developing district-specific contingency plans in coordination with state governments. These plans focus on water conservation, moisture management, crop diversification, and promotion of climate-resilient agricultural practices.
The government is also pushing targeted interventions to protect key crops, including cotton, through scientific cultivation practices, high-yielding varieties, mulching, and improved irrigation efficiency.
In parallel, efforts are being stepped up to enhance domestic pulse production, particularly pigeon pea, black gram, and moong, through expanded cultivation, improved seed availability, and technical support aimed at reducing import dependence.
Officials said weekly review meetings will be held to track field conditions, reservoir levels, and market prices to ensure timely response measures and minimize risks to farmers.
The overall strategy aims to strengthen preparedness, protect farmer incomes, and ensure stability in food production amid potential climate-related challenges during the Kharif season.
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