The Ministry of Agriculture is closely monitoring emerging weather patterns ahead of the crucial kharif season, with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly advocating the adoption of drought-resistant seed varieties, weather-based crop insurance policies, phased sowing and multi-cropping practices.
India’s kharif season typically begins with the arrival of the southwest monsoon in June, with sowing continuing through July and harvesting beginning in October.
Government preparedness
For the Kharif 2026 season, state agriculture departments are finalising action plans with a projected nationwide coverage of more than 1,391 lakh hectares. The Centre has already stocked more than 50 per cent of the season’s total fertiliser requirement of 390.54 lakh metric tonnes ahead of sowing. Domestic production and natural gas supplies have also been prioritised to prevent shortages.
“We are fully prepared for the Kharif 2026 season. We are looking at a coverage of 1,391.71 lakh hectares. The government has secured ample stocks, including nearly 18 million tonnes of fertiliser and sufficient climate-smart seeds, while launching contingency plans with the IMD to mitigate potential weather anomalies like El Niño,” a ministry official said.
The Union Cabinet recently approved minimum support price (MSP) hikes for 14 kharif crops for the 2026-27 marketing season, ensuring returns of at least 50 per cent over production costs. The MSP for common paddy was increased by Rs 72 to Rs 2,441 per quintal.
Amid increasingly erratic weather conditions, institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have advised farmers to consult local Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and remain alert against localised threats such as Fall Armyworm in maize and whitefly infestations in cotton.
Experts flag concerns
Agriculture experts have flagged potential headwinds, including below-normal rainfall and rising input costs.
“The southwest monsoon’s timely arrival and even geographic distribution are paramount, as nearly 45 per cent of India’s sown area still depends entirely on rainfall. Farmers should increasingly adopt short-duration crop varieties as a safeguard against erratic monsoon spells,” said economist Akash Jindal.
Farmer leaders have also criticised what they describe as inadequate irrigation support. “Whenever the authorities open canals, the larger channels cater to cities, while smaller canals meant for irrigating fields are often neglected. How many farmers can afford tubewells, especially when diesel prices continue to rise? Inclement weather ultimately pushes up input costs and reduces crop production,” said Abhimanyu Kohar, national president of the Bharatiya Kisan Naujawan Union (BKNU).
Kohar also questioned the effectiveness of weather-based crop insurance policies, claiming that insurance companies collect more in premiums than they disburse in compensation.
“Climate change and extreme weather have also triggered new crop diseases. Last year, paddy was affected by the ‘bonaro’ pest, preventing crops from reaching the desired height. The cotton pink worm remains highly destructive, feeding on cotton buds and bolls, damaging fibre quality and causing yield losses of over 50 per cent if left unmanaged,” he added.
DSR technique gains traction
The government’s recently promoted Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technique is increasingly finding favour among farmers as a sustainable and water-saving alternative.
Under DSR, pre-germinated or dry seeds are sown directly into the main field, bypassing the labour-intensive and water-heavy nursery preparation and transplantation stages associated with traditional paddy cultivation. The method reduces production costs while often delivering comparable or even higher yields.
“Farmers are increasingly adopting the DSR technique for better produce and lower water consumption, especially under harsh climatic conditions. But the government needs to scale it up and ensure wider outreach. The Haryana government recently announced an incentive of Rs 4,000 per hectare for farmers using the method, but many are yet to receive the money,” said farmer leader Dharmendra Malik.
