The central government has stepped up its preparedness for the 2026 Kharif season as uncertainty over the southwest monsoon continues due to the possible impact of El Niño. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, regular monitoring, contingency planning, seed reserves, crop advisories, and financial support measures are being implemented to reduce the impact on farmers.
Speaking after a high-level review meeting in New Delhi on July 8, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the monsoon has improved after a weak start. Rainfall, which was 33% below normal in June, has recovered during July, reducing the overall rainfall deficit to 24%.
The minister said recent rainfall has improved conditions across several regions, bringing down the number of rainfall-deficient districts from 262 to 178. The government expects rainfall activity to strengthen further during July, supporting faster progress in Kharif sowing.
Key Highlights
- June recorded a 33% rainfall deficit, which narrowed to 24% after improved rainfall in July.
- Rainfall-deficient districts declined from 262 to 178 following recent monsoon activity.
- Kharif sowing has covered 350.85 lakh hectares, about 91.95 lakh hectares less than the same period last year.
- A national seed reserve of around 1.75 lakh quintals has been maintained to support sowing.
- More than 94,000 Kisan Credit Card applications were approved out of 1.14 lakh applications received by June 30.
- Monitoring systems, including the El Niño Monitoring Cell and Crop Weather Watch Group, are reviewing conditions on a regular basis.
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Government Monitors Monsoon and Kharif Progress
The Agriculture Ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Odisha.
According to the minister, delayed monsoon rainfall has mainly affected soybean and cotton sowing. Farmers have been advised to cultivate short-duration and low water-intensive crops such as maize, bajra, and moong where appropriate, to reduce the impact of delayed rainfall.
Preparations Started Before the Monsoon
The minister said preparations for the current Kharif season began in April. In coordination with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), district-level contingency plans were prepared for areas likely to be affected by delayed rainfall and shared with state governments.
During June, the government also conducted the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan,” under which more than 1.24 lakh programmes were organised across the country. These programmes directly reached over 80 lakh farmers with crop-related guidance and awareness.
To ensure seed availability, the government has maintained a national reserve of approximately 1.75 lakh quintals of seeds for use during the sowing season.
Credit, Insurance and Continuous Monitoring
The government has intensified the Kisan Credit Card campaign to improve farmers’ access to institutional credit. By June 30, more than 94,000 applications had been approved out of 1.14 lakh applications received.
The Agriculture Ministry is also encouraging greater enrolment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to provide financial protection against crop losses caused by adverse weather conditions.
The minister said the Centre has established multiple monitoring mechanisms, including the El Niño Monitoring Cell, Crop Weather Watch Group, state-level control rooms, and designated officers. These teams are regularly monitoring rainfall, crop sowing, crop conditions, and market trends to support timely decision-making during the Kharif season.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
