“Preparedness, not panic, is the priority. Contingency plans will be drawn up for affected districts and crop patterns revised wherever needed,” Chouhan told reporters on the sidelines of the National Kharif Conference in Delhi.
The Agriculture Ministry is identifying districts for alternative crops and ensuring seed availability in case El Nino affects the monsoon, added Chouhan.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its first-stage forecast issued on April 13, 2026, projected southwest monsoon rainfall to be below normal at 92% of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a margin of error of ±5%.
Kharif sowing has begun in parts of India and remains at an early stage. Despite weather-related concerns, India is poised to achieve record foodgrain production of 376.56 million tonnes (MT) in the 2025-26 crop year, up 18.8 MT from the previous year, Chouhan said while addressing the inaugural session of the National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2026.
He said the government has placed special emphasis on agriculture and farmer welfare, adding that India has overtaken China to become the world’s largest rice producer.
M L Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said India has already achieved its 2047 rice output targets, strengthening the case for crop diversification. “We do not need 50 million hectares under rice cultivation. The requirement is 35 million hectares by 2047. Diverting the surplus 15 million hectares to pulses and oilseeds can help India achieve self-reliance in those crops,” Jat said. Jat said over 100 districts are using fertilisers beyond scientifically recommended levels, stressing the need for nutrient-efficient crop breeding, higher use of organic and biological inputs, and better soil health management. Jat also flagged seed quality and agricultural data systems as priority areas, noting that quality seeds alone could boost productivity by 15-20%. Jat urged state farms, agricultural universities, and ICAR institutions to prioritise seed production.
Chouhan directed officials to ensure timely seed distribution before the monsoon, expand Kisan Credit Card coverage, speed up Farmer ID issuance, and crack down on fake seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides.
Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra said crop diversification, agricultural self-reliance, and sustainability are now key government priorities, urging states to align their strategies accordingly.
Meanwhile, the two-day National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign 2026 began today at the NASC Complex in Pusa, New Delhi. Chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the two-day conference focused on enhancing farm productivity, strengthening climate resilience, and improving Centre-state coordination ahead of the kharif sowing season.