The Chhattisgarh government has issued an advisory urging farmers to select short and medium-duration crop varieties and implement water-saving cultivation practices in response to the anticipated effects of El Nino and a delayed monsoon on the 2026 kharif season, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Contingency Plan for Uncertain Rainfall
The state agriculture department, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has formulated a contingency plan that accounts for a delayed monsoon onset, early withdrawal, and prolonged dry spells during the cropping season, a government official stated. The plan aims to safeguard crops, sustain agricultural production, and reduce cultivation costs even if rainfall falls below normal levels.
Farmers have been specifically advised to choose short and medium-duration crop varieties to mitigate the impact of rainfall uncertainty. Additionally, the department recommends prioritizing Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) over conventional transplanting methods. According to officials, DSR can save approximately 20% of irrigation water, lower cultivation costs by nearly Rs 5,000 per acre, and enable harvesting 12 to 15 days earlier than transplanted paddy.
Shift to Pulses and Oilseeds in Upland Areas
In upland regions prone to low rainfall, farmers are advised to transition from paddy to pulses such as pigeon pea (arhar), green gram (moong), and black gram (urad), as well as oilseeds including groundnut, sesame, and soybean. These crops require comparatively less water and are better suited to dry conditions, the official explained. The advisory also recommends row sowing to improve moisture conservation, weed management, and root development, thereby enhancing crop resilience during drought-like scenarios.
The department has made seed treatment mandatory before sowing. If seeds fail to germinate by July 15, farmers are advised to resow using 10% more seed than the normal rate. Sowing of moong and urad is suggested by the end of July, while sesame, sunflower, and medium-duration pigeon pea varieties should be sown in August. Officials further advise balanced fertilizer use under low-rainfall conditions.
Expert Insights and Chief Minister’s Review
According to experts, if rainfall remains below normal during the 2026 kharif season, short-duration paddy varieties along with pulses and oilseeds would offer farmers more reliable returns than conventional long-duration paddy. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a high-level review meeting on Friday to assess kharif season preparations given the possibility of deficient rainfall, a government statement said. The meeting reviewed the likely weather scenario, fertilizer and seed availability, water conservation measures, irrigation management, scientific farming practices, and rural employment initiatives.
"The interests of farmers are our highest priority. They should not face any shortage of fertilisers, seeds, technical guidance or other essential resources under any circumstances," Sai said, directing officials to prepare district-specific action plans suited to local conditions. The chief minister noted that he recently requested Union Minister for Health and Chemicals and Fertilisers JP Nadda to provide additional DAP fertiliser for Chhattisgarh. Following this request, the state has received over 46,000 tonnes of DAP, exceeding the normal allocation, ensuring uninterrupted supplies for the kharif season.
Irrigation, Awareness, and Anti-Black Marketing Measures
Sai directed officials to ensure adequate irrigation arrangements for paddy cultivation, particularly through scientific management of water sources in rain-fed areas. He also instructed the agriculture department to intensify awareness campaigns on short-duration paddy varieties, DSR, row sowing, seed treatment, moisture conservation, and other scientific farming techniques. Authorities have been ordered to launch a special drive to expand pulses and oilseeds cultivation in upland areas, crack down on substandard seeds and fertilizers, and prevent black marketing.
The chief minister called for wider promotion of the India Meteorological Department's mobile applications—Sachet, Damini, and Meghdoot—to help farmers receive timely weather alerts, including warnings about lightning. He emphasized that water conservation would be promoted as a people's movement and directed officials to prioritize works under the Viksit Bharat-G Ram G Yojana that generate rural employment while strengthening the state's long-term water security.
The state government has appealed to farmers to seek guidance from nearby agricultural colleges, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, research centres, and agriculture department officials for any farming-related issues.
