India's Agriculture Minister Directs States to Prepare Contingency Plans Amid El Nino-Induced Drought

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday directed to hold coordinated meetings with district administrations, agriculture departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and other departments in 9 to 10 El Nino-affected states. The minister stressed on preparing advance contingency plans for rain-deficient districts and the need to increase the area under cotton and pulses during the weekly review meeting on preparations for the Kharif crop season 2026. According to the statement of the Agriculture Ministry, Chouhan has asked the states to prepare crop-wise alternative plans in advance by clearly identifying the vulnerable districts so that farmers can be provided immediate options, advice and assistance in case of weather-related challenges. The Agriculture Minister said, "Separate and practical strategies should be prepared for every vulnerable district, with special focus on water conservation, moisture management, mixed cropping and alternative cropping methods." At the same time, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the priority of the government is not to provide "calm, reliable and reliable solutions based on scientific analysis" to the farmers.