The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Tuesday conducted a high-level review of the country’s preparedness for the possible impact of El Niño on agriculture and other sectors of the economy. It directed ministries to closely monitor the evolving situation and work with states to ensure that farming, essential supplies and economic activity remain largely unaffected during the ongoing kharif season.
The meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra at Seva Theerth, brought together secretaries and senior officials from more than 15 ministries and departments, including Agriculture, Power, Health and Family Welfare, Rural Development, Consumer Affairs, Economic Affairs, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Animal Husbandry, Earth Sciences, Fertilisers, the Central Water Commission and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to the government, the meeting comprehensively reviewed the measures undertaken by various ministries in anticipation of a weak to moderate El Niño, which is expected during July and August.
Officials from the IMD briefed the meeting on the progress of the southwest monsoon, noting that while the onset was delayed by around 10 days in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, rainfall during the first week of July had significantly improved the overall situation. The all-India rainfall deficit has narrowed to 12 per cent as of July 7, while the first week of the month recorded above-normal rainfall.
The weather agency also cautioned that although weak to moderate El Niño conditions are expected during July and August, an El Niño year does not necessarily result in below-normal seasonal rainfall. Given that July accounts for more than 30 per cent of the monsoon season’s rainfall, officials said the situation is being monitored continuously.
The Agriculture Ministry informed the meeting that weekly Crop Weather Watch meetings with states are being held to track rainfall, reservoir levels, crop sowing, availability of agricultural inputs, market trends and emerging pest and disease threats. It said district-level agriculture contingency plans have been updated for 262 vulnerable districts and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has issued Standard Operating Procedures on managing El Niño risks through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
The ministry also highlighted that foodgrain production has remained resilient in recent years despite episodes of deficient rainfall because of the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties and improved technologies.
The government reviewed the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Kisan Credit Card programme in vulnerable states. Departments concerned were instructed to ensure maximum coverage under both schemes within a time-bound framework. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying was asked to assess the availability of dry fodder, green fodder and cattle feed at both macro and local levels.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation reported that the current situation remained stable but was directed to strengthen district-level planning and monitoring in vulnerable areas. The Department of Water Resources also informed the meeting that groundwater and reservoir levels were stable, while stressing that constant surveillance would continue throughout the monsoon season.
Health authorities said advisories on heatwaves, high humidity and dengue had already been issued and monitoring systems were in place. The meeting directed that alerts and public advisories should reach the field level effectively.
The Department of Consumer Affairs informed the meeting that buffer stocks of rice, wheat and pulses remained adequate, while the Department of Fertilisers reported sufficient availability of fertilisers and comfortable opening stocks for the upcoming rabi season. Both departments were instructed to maintain continuous monitoring of supplies to prevent shortages.
The Rural Development Ministry reported that work under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission began on July 1 and has already generated one crore person-days of employment. The Department of Agricultural Research and Education briefed the meeting on the spread of climate-resilient seed varieties, while the Power Ministry reviewed electricity generation and availability.
Directing the ministries to remain vigilant, Mishra said, “The overall situation should be continuously monitored and the impact of the monsoon/delayed monsoon on vulnerable districts must be assessed in co-ordination with States so that remedial action can be taken when necessary.”
He also instructed the ministries to ensure availability of adequate fodder through dedicated development plans, prioritise drinking water supply in vulnerable districts and keep reservoir levels under regular watch to promote optimal utilisation and judicious use of available water resources.
Emphasising the need for coordinated action, the Principal Secretary said all ministries should work closely with state governments and adopt micro-level strategies to ensure uninterrupted agricultural operations, stable supplies of essential commodities and minimal disruption to economic activity despite any adverse impact of El Nino.
The review comes at a crucial stage of the kharif sowing season when rainfall patterns are closely watched for their impact on crop production, rural livelihoods, food inflation and overall economic growth. India has increasingly focused on strengthening climate resilience in agriculture through contingency planning, improved forecasting, crop insurance, climate-resilient seed varieties and coordinated responses between the Centre and the states to minimise the effects of weather-related uncertainties.