The Centre on Tuesday identified 197 districts across the country as the most vulnerable to the impact of El Niño and has prepared contingency plans to deal with any adverse effects on agriculture.
Government's Preparedness and Awareness Campaign
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare is implementing the 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan', a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at reaching farmers. He remarked, 'The concern about El Nino is always on my mind 24x7. Not definitive, but 197 districts are identified as most vulnerable,' as reported by the news agency PTI.
The El Nino phenomenon is being assessed through weekly meetings held by the ministry. If conditions worsen, the ministry has stored necessary agricultural inputs like seeds to respond in time. 'We have prepared a contingency plan for each state. We will leave no stone unturned to tackle this,' Chouhan added.
Understanding El Niño and Its Implications
El Niño is a climate phenomenon linked to poor monsoons and rainfall uncertainties, which is a worry for this year. The southwest monsoon has been forecast at around 90% of the long-period average, indicating a below-normal season, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Officials warn that crop risks could heighten if El Niño conditions intensify in the monsoon season's latter half.
Current Monsoon Progress
Kerala saw the southwest monsoon set in on June 4, which is now advancing northward. An estimated 20-30% of the country is experiencing current coverage, with full coverage expected around July 15.
