Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the southwest monsoon and issued directions to officials to strengthen preparedness measures, including timely dissemination of farm advisories and improved coordination with state governments, amid concerns over a possible El Niño impact on the upcoming kharif season.
During the high-level review meeting, Chouhan said the government is currently in “alert mode” and stressed the need for continuous monitoring of monsoon developments. He instructed officials to maintain close surveillance of rainfall patterns and ensure swift communication with states to enable timely decision-making on agricultural planning.
“Ensure better coordination with states and take prompt action,” the minister said, according to an official statement issued after the meeting. He also emphasised that farmers must receive timely advisories, inputs and necessary assistance to minimise potential risks to crops.
The meeting focused on strategies to safeguard farmers’ interests and reduce the adverse impact of erratic rainfall on kharif crops. Senior officials from all relevant departments and agencies were present, and detailed discussions were held on preparedness mechanisms, contingency planning and state-level coordination frameworks.
The review comes at a crucial time as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala around June 4. Traditionally, the monsoon reaches the southern coast around June 1, marking the beginning of India’s four-month rainy season from June to September.
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In its latest forecast, the IMD has indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to be around 90 per cent of the long-period average, suggesting the possibility of a below-normal rainfall season. The outlook has raised concerns over potential stress on agricultural output, particularly if El Niño conditions intensify in the latter part of the monsoon period.
The southwest monsoon is a critical component of India’s agricultural economy, accounting for nearly 70 to 75 per cent of the country’s total annual rainfall. It plays a vital role in sustaining kharif crops such as paddy, pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals.
Agriculture remains heavily dependent on monsoon rainfall, with nearly 51 per cent of India’s net sown area still reliant on rain-fed irrigation. As a result, any deviation from normal rainfall patterns can have significant implications for crop yield, rural incomes and overall food security.
Officials noted that while early monsoon indicators are being closely tracked, the government is preparing contingency plans to address region-specific rainfall variability and potential dry spells. These include strengthening agro-meteorological advisory services and ensuring real-time dissemination of weather-based guidance to farmers.
The minister reiterated that safeguarding the agricultural sector remains a top priority and called for proactive coordination between central and state agencies to mitigate risks arising from climatic uncertainties during the crucial sowing season.
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