Shivraj Singh Chouhan Holds High Level Meeting, Discusses El Niño, Kharif 2026, Increase in Cotton Production

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a weekly high-level agriculture review meeting to discuss a number of issues, including preparations for the Kharif season and the possible El Niño situation likely to prevail in the country.

In a post on X, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “Today, a detailed review of the country’s preparations for Kharif 2026 was conducted at the weekly meeting of senior officials on agriculture held at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.”

He said that during the meeting, when the possible El Niño situation was discussed, “officials were directed to ensure full preparations in advance in those districts where there is a probability of low rainfall or uneven distribution of rains”.

“Such areas should be identified and crop contingency plans should be prepared in collaboration with state governments so that alternatives, advice and assistance can be provided to farmers immediately in case of any weather-related challenge,” Chouhan said.

A review of crop targets, sowing progress and state preparations for Kharif 2026 was also held during the meeting.

There was also a special discussion on increasing cotton production, the minister said in a post on X.

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“Emphasis has been laid on promoting measures like scientific methods, selection of suitable varieties, intercropping, mulching and moisture conservation on a large scale to increase both cotton productivity and farmers’ income,” said Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

“There was also a detailed discussion on the Pulse Self-Reliance Mission. Our aim is to make the country more and more self-reliant in pulses like black pea, black gram and green gram and to ensure the income of farmers,” he added.

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India experiences mild to strong El Nino conditions during the monsoon season

Mild to strong El Nino conditions are likely to prevail during India’s monsoon season from June to September, the India Meteorological Department said on July 12, raising concerns about rainfall and crop prospects in the world’s most populous country.

Neutral conditions in the Indian Ocean Dipole, a key climate pattern that influences rainfall in the region, are likely to persist until the end of the monsoon season, the India Meteorological Department said in its monthly bulletin last week.

El Niño is a natural climate event that forms in the Pacific Ocean but affects the weather around the world, including India.

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During an El Niño year, the usual flow of moist winds towards India is disrupted. This change reduces the amount of rainfall India receives between June and September.

In the past, strong El Niño events have led to severe declines in rainfall, late arrival of the monsoon and drought in key agricultural states.