Government activates nationwide contingency plans, seed reserves and crop advisory to safeguard farmers; improving monsoon expected to accelerate Kharif sowing

Key Highlights

• Centre intensifies nationwide preparedness amid potential El Niño impact on the southwest monsoon.
• Rainfall deficit improves from 33% in June to 24% in July.
• Rainfall-deficient districts decline from 262 to 178.
• Kharif sowing reaches 350.85 lakh hectares, though still below last year’s level.
• Farmers advised to shift towards short-duration and low water-intensive crops like maize, bajra and moong.
• Government maintains 1.75 lakh quintals of seed reserve to ensure uninterrupted sowing.
• Over 80 lakh farmers reached through the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan.
• Centre strengthens Kisan Credit Card approvals and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana coverage.
• Weekly reviews and multi-level monitoring underway to tackle evolving weather conditions.

New Delhi, July 8, 2026:

The Government of India has intensified its preparedness measures for the ongoing Kharif season as the possibility of El Niño continues to pose uncertainty over the southwest monsoon. While June witnessed a significant rainfall deficit, improving weather conditions in July have provided relief, prompting the Centre to strengthen its strategy through continuous monitoring, contingency planning and farmer support initiatives.

Following a high-level review meeting in New Delhi, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government has activated comprehensive measures to minimise the impact of weather-related disruptions and ensure farmers remain adequately supported throughout the Kharif season.

According to the Minister, the rainfall deficit, which stood at 33% in June, has narrowed to 24% in early July, while the number of rainfall-deficient districts has reduced from 262 to 178 following improved precipitation across several parts of the country.

Centre Closely Monitoring Key Agricultural States

The government is conducting regular reviews of the monsoon situation in major agricultural states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal and Odisha.

Officials expect rainfall activity to strengthen further during July, helping farmers accelerate Kharif sowing operations.

Delayed Monsoon Impacts Soybean and Cotton

Despite improving weather conditions, Kharif sowing has so far covered 350.85 lakh hectares, approximately 91.95 lakh hectares lower than the corresponding period last year.

The delayed arrival of the monsoon has particularly affected the sowing of soybean and cotton. To reduce production risks, farmers have been advised to opt for short-duration and low water-intensive crops such as maize, bajra and moong in regions facing rainfall delays.

Preparedness Began in April

The Agriculture Ministry said preparations began well before the onset of the monsoon.

Working with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research>, district-wise contingency plans were prepared and shared with state governments to enable timely responses in vulnerable regions.

The nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan, conducted during June, organised over 1.24 lakh outreach programmes, directly engaging more than 80 lakh farmers with advisories on climate-resilient farming practices.

Seed Reserve, Credit Support and Crop Insurance Strengthened

To ensure uninterrupted agricultural operations, the Centre has maintained a national seed reserve of nearly 1.75 lakh quintals, allowing states to access seeds whenever required.

The government has also accelerated its Kisan Credit Card (KCC) campaign, approving over 94,000 applications out of approximately 1.14 lakh received by June 30.

Simultaneously, efforts are being intensified to expand farmer enrolment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), providing financial protection against crop losses caused by adverse weather events.

Multi-Level Monitoring Mechanism Activated

Keeping the potential El Niño impact under close watch, the Centre has activated multiple monitoring platforms, including:

• El Niño Monitoring Cell
• Crop Weather Watch Group
• State-level Control Rooms
• Designated monitoring officers

These agencies are continuously tracking rainfall patterns, sowing progress, crop health and market trends to facilitate timely interventions whenever required.

The Agriculture Ministry reiterated that adequate resources, defined protocols and coordinated action across ministries and states will enable quick responses to emerging challenges during the Kharif season.

Hospitality, Food & Tourism Impac

Although the announcement primarily focuses on agriculture, its implications extend across India’s hospitality and tourism economy.

A stable Kharif season supports consistent supplies of cereals, pulses, vegetables and oilseeds, helping hotels, restaurants, caterers and food processing businesses manage procurement costs and maintain menu pricing. Improved agricultural production also benefits food manufacturers, beverage companies and rural supply chains that serve the hospitality sector.

For rural tourism destinations, stronger farm incomes can stimulate local spending, support agri-tourism initiatives and generate demand for homestays, local eateries and regional food experiences. Additionally, proactive government intervention to minimise crop losses helps maintain stability in agricultural markets, reducing the risk of food inflation that directly affects hospitality businesses across the country.

With weekly reviews, contingency planning and farmer support measures already in place, the Centre aims to ensure that weather-related uncertainties have minimal impact on agricultural production and allied sectors during the 2026 Kharif season.