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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 236
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21ST JULY, 2026
IMPACT OF EL NINO ON AGRICULTURE
236. SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:
PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:
DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:
SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:
SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:
SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:
SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has issued any advisory or contingency plans in view of
possible El Nino conditions and their impact on the monsoon during 2026;
(b) whether an assessment has been made regarding the likely impact on agriculture in
Maharashtra, particularly in drought-prone regions such as Marathwada and Vidarbha;
(c) the details of measures taken to safeguard farmers’ interests in Maharashtra, including
provision of drought-resistant seeds, crop diversification, irrigation support and weather-
based advisories;
(d) whether adequate funds have been earmarked for crop insurance, input subsidies and
relief measures for farmers in Maharashtra; and
(e) whether the Government Proposes to strengthen water conservation and climate-
resilient agriculture programmes in Maharashtra and, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (e): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is continuously monitoring the
evolving monsoon situation and the possible impact of El Niño conditions on agriculture in
close coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), various Indian Council of
Agriculture Research (ICAR) institutions, ICAR- Central Research Institute for Dryland
Agriculture (CRIDA), Central Water Commission (CWC), Central Ground Water Board
(CGWB), Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), the Department of Food and
Public Distribution (DFPD), the Department of Fertilisers (DoF) and State Governments.
Further, the Government has undertaken the following measures:1. District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) have been updated for 14 States
covering 342 Districts which are likely to receive below normal rainfall by the ICAR
Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR-CRIDA) in consultation with the
States for implementation.
2. Weekly meeting of the Crop Weather Watch Group (CWWG) is being held with the
representatives of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission
(CWC), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast
Centre (MNCFC), Indian Council of Agriculture Research - Central Research Institute for
Dryland Agriculture (ICAR - CRIDA), Department of Fertilizers, Department of Food &
Public Distribution and the State Governments to review rainfall situation, reservoir
storage, groundwater levels, crop sowing, input availability, market situation and pest/
disease incidence for timely intervention. Meeting with State Agriculture Secretaries
and Relief Commissioners held under the chairmanship of Secretary (DA&FW) on
27.04.2026 to review availability of inputs like seeds, fodder, drinking & irrigation water,
fertilizers and general preparedness. Further, a meeting of the Crisis Management
Group had been conducted on 17.06.2026 to assess and strengthen preparedness for
the monsoon. In addition, the National Disaster Management Authority has also
reviewed the preparedness of below-normal rainfall conditions emanating from the
likely impact of the El Nino conditions on 19th June 2026. Review of the situation has
been undertaken by the Agriculture Minister, Government of India with the State
Agriculture Ministers for Kharif preparedness amid El Nino conditions on 23.06.2026.
3. Interface meetings by ICAR have been conducted with 14 States, including
Maharashtra, for operationalization of District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs).
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have also been issued by ICAR for Krishi
Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for mitigation of El Niño-related risks.
4. Adequate availability of seeds has been ensured, against the demand of 172.80 lakh
quintals from the States, there was availability of 192.25 lakh quintals of Kharif crop
seeds. States have maintained 1% seeds i.e. 1.74 Lakh quintals as National Seed
Reserve.
5. Special emphasis has been laid on promoting crop diversification, promotion of short-
duration and drought-tolerant crop varieties, balanced use of fertilizers, water
conservation practices, micro-irrigation, mulching, inter-cropping and practices of other
climate-resilient technologies. Due to the delay as well as the likelihood on adverse
impact of El Nino conditions, sowing is likely to be affected in respect of Tur, Soybean
and Cotton and accordingly, the advisories to the farmers have been given to sow
Maize, Bajra and Moong, and other short duration crops.
6. A nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyaan was organised during 1-30 June, 2026 in which
80,67,300 farmers participated in 1,14,567 programmes which were organised to
promote water conservation, introduce efficient irrigation and climate-resilient farming
practices. Simultaneously, an intensive Kisan Credit Card (KCC) saturation drive and
awareness campaign under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is being
implemented in the vulnerable districts.
7. As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the State Government is
primarily responsible for providing necessary relief measures at the ground level in the
wake of notified calamities. The State Governments undertake relief measures in the
wake of natural calamities from funds available in the form of the State Disaster
Response Fund (SDRF) in accordance with the approved guidelines. Additional
financial assistance, over and above SDRF, is considered from the National Disaster
Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure, in case of disaster of ‘severe
nature’, which includes an assessment based on the visit of an Inter-Ministerial Central
Team (IMCT). The financial assistance provided under SDRF and NDRF is by way of
relief and not for compensation of losses suffered/ claimed.The State of Maharashtra has been allocated Rs.5718.00 crore (Central Share
Rs.4288.50 crore & State Share Rs.1429.50 crore) under SDRF during 2026-27. The
details of funds allocated and released to Maharashtra under SDRF and NDRF during
2021-22 to 2025-26 are as under:
(In Rs. crores)
Financial Year Allocation under SDRF Release of Central Release under
Central Share State Share Share under SDRF NDRF
2021-22 2577.60 859.20 2577.60 1056.39
2022-23 2706.40 902.40 2706.40 --
2023-24 2841.60 947.20 2841.60 --
2024-25 2984.00 994.40 2984.00 138.09*
2025-26 3132.80 1044.00 3132.80 322.21*
* for modernization of fire services
8. Details of funds allocation under SDRF for the State of Maharashtra during 2026-27 to
2030-31 (under 16th Finance Commission) as provided by MHA is as follows:
(In Rs. Crores)
State 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Total
Maharashtra 5718 6004 6304 6619 6952 31597
9. The Central Water Commission and State Governments have been advised to
undertake advance planning for optimum utilization of reservoir water and promote
efficient irrigation practices. Assistance to farmers is available through ongoing
schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Per Drop More Crop
(PDMC) with a focus on enhancing water-use efficiency at the farm level through
installation of Micro-Irrigation systems. Department of Rural Development is utilising
Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB G Ram G)
funds for rejuvenating water structures – such as farm ponds, check dams, canal
desilting, and bori bandhans – to trap every drop of early or residual rainfall. Further,
as part of the climate resilient agricultural practices, the Department is also
implementing various Schemes viz. the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY),
Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH),
National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds Mission and
other existing programmes across the country, including Maharashtra.
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