New Delhi: Amid uncertainty over the monsoon due to the potential impact of El Niño, the Central Government, under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has put in place a comprehensive strategy backed by preparedness, clear planning, and strong ground-level action to safeguard the agriculture sector. Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that while June recorded a 33% rainfall deficit, the situation has improved in July, with the shortfall narrowing to 24%.

Addressing the media after a high-level review meeting in New Delhi, Chouhan said that recent rainfall across several parts of the country has significantly improved the situation. The number of districts experiencing deficient rainfall has declined from 262 to 178, offering hope for improved agricultural activity in the coming weeks.

The Union Minister said that special monitoring is underway in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Odisha. With expectations of stronger rainfall during July, the government anticipates an acceleration in Kharif sowing.

According to the Minister, 350.85 lakh hectares have been sown so far, which is approximately 91.95 lakh hectares less than the corresponding period last year. The delayed monsoon has particularly affected the sowing of soybean and cotton. However, farmers have been advised to shift towards short-duration and low-water crops such as maize, pearl millet, and green gram wherever necessary.

Chouhan said the government had begun preparations as early as April. In collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), district-specific contingency plans were prepared for areas likely to be affected and shared with state governments well in advance.

He added that under the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” (Save the Fields Campaign) conducted in June, more than 1.24 lakh outreach programmes were organized, directly benefiting over 80 lakh farmers through awareness and advisory services.

To ensure uninterrupted sowing, the government has maintained a National Seed Reserve of nearly 1.75 lakh quintals, enabling timely seed supply in case of emergencies.

The Minister also highlighted the accelerated Kisan Credit Card (KCC) campaign. Of the 1.14 lakh applications received by June 30, more than 94,000 have already been approved, improving farmers’ access to institutional credit.

Chouhan further said that efforts are being intensified to expand coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) so that farmers receive financial protection against crop losses arising from adverse weather conditions.

He emphasized that the government’s monitoring mechanism has been fully activated in view of possible El Niño conditions. The El Niño Monitoring Cell, Crop Weather Watch Group, State-Level Control Rooms, and designated officers are continuously tracking rainfall, crop conditions, sowing progress, and market trends to facilitate timely intervention.

The Union Minister said the government’s approach goes beyond monitoring the situation. With robust institutional mechanisms, adequate resources, contingency planning, insurance coverage, and improved access to credit, the Centre is fully prepared to tackle any agricultural challenges arising from an uncertain monsoon season while ensuring the welfare of farmers across the country.