Why Farmers Are Being Asked to Prepare for El Niño Before the Next Crop Season

India’s agriculture sector is increasing its focus on El Niño preparedness as rainfall conditions weaken in several regions. Scientists and agriculture officials are discussing contingency plans for crops, livestock and water management, while farmers face the immediate challenge of protecting standing kharif crops.

The concern grew after India recorded a 16 percent rainfall deficit in August. The India Meteorological Department has also forecast below-normal rainfall for September, raising concerns about soil moisture and the condition of crops such as cotton, soybean, maize and pulses. ICAR recently organised a stakeholders’ meeting on mitigating El Niño impacts on kharif agriculture. Scientists discussed rainfall deficits, rising temperatures and risks to crop yields, with particular attention to farming systems in climate-sensitive regions such as the northeastern hill states.

The discussions focused on practical preparation rather than waiting for crop losses. Scientists highlighted stress-tolerant varieties, climate-resilient crops, soil and water conservation, and diversification through pulses and oilseeds as measures farmers and state agencies can consider.

El Niño may influence India’s broader weather pattern, but farmers experience its effects locally. One district may receive enough rainfall while another faces a long dry spell. A farmer should therefore avoid making major crop decisions based only on national forecasts.

Local rainfall, soil moisture, irrigation access and crop stage should guide farm decisions. ICAR’s recent discussions have stressed the need for location-specific contingency planning because climate risks differ sharply across farming regions and production systems.

Stress-tolerant crops are receiving more attention

Scientists have highlighted stress-tolerant crop varieties as one response to changing weather conditions. In Nagaland, seven newly developed high-yielding and climate-resilient rice varieties suited to local agro-climatic conditions were discussed during recent El Niño preparedness efforts.

A climate-resilient variety cannot prevent all crop losses. Its usefulness depends on the specific stress it was developed to manage. Farmers should check whether a variety is recommended for their district before replacing existing seed across their entire farm. A weak monsoon can affect more than the standing kharif crop. It can also reduce the soil moisture available for the next season. This makes rainwater conservation and careful irrigation planning increasingly important for farmers in vulnerable regions.

ICAR-CRIDA recently trained farmers in Telangana on farm ponds, rainwater management and practices aimed at improving water productivity. The programme linked El Niño preparedness with practical decisions about conserving available water and improving soil moisture.

Crop diversification can spread some production risks when weather conditions become uncertain. ICAR scientists have highlighted pulses and oilseeds as possible components of climate-resilient farming systems, particularly where farmers need alternatives suited to local water availability.

But farmers should not change crops without examining market demand. A crop that requires less water may still create financial problems if farmers cannot find reliable buyers. Climate adaptation must therefore consider both production risks and market returns.

Soil health can influence drought preparedness

Healthy soil can store and retain more water than degraded soil. This makes soil management an important part of preparing farms for dry periods. Farmers can improve their understanding of field conditions through soil testing and suitable organic matter management.

ICAR-CRIDA’s recent farmer training included soil health management as part of El Niño preparedness. The programme also covered biofertilisers and natural resource management, showing that climate planning increasingly involves improving conditions below the crop as well as above it.

Livestock also needs a climate plan

Dry conditions and high temperatures can affect livestock through reduced water availability, heat stress and changes in fodder supply. Farmers with mixed farming systems therefore need to consider animal management alongside crop protection.

The ICAR-CRIDA programme included livestock care and management during possible El Niño conditions. This reflects the need to prepare the entire farm system instead of treating climate stress as a problem affecting crops alone.

The current priority for farmers is to assess the actual condition of standing crops. A farmer should check soil moisture, crop growth and signs of stress rather than assuming that every field faces the same risk.

Farmers can review:

• Soil moisture
• Crop stage
• Irrigation availability
• Pest and disease activity
• Local rainfall forecasts
• Drainage and water storage

These observations can help farmers decide which fields need attention first.

Climate conditions are increasing the value of district-level agricultural advice. Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agriculture departments can provide recommendations based on local crops, soils and weather conditions.

ICAR has recently stressed the role of KVKs in connecting scientific research with farmers. At a farmer-scientist dialogue in Kanpur, ICAR leadership highlighted the importance of agricultural knowledge reaching farmers through local extension networks.

For farmers, this means local advice may become more useful than general recommendations shared nationally. A practice suitable for a dry district may not suit an area facing excess rainfall or flooding.

The recent ICAR meetings show that climate preparation is moving closer to routine farm management. Farmers are being encouraged to think about crop choice, water, soil and livestock together rather than responding only after a weather event damages production.

The most important question for farmers is not whether they can predict every change in the weather. It is whether their farm can handle a dry spell without immediately losing most of its production or income.

What farmers can do next

Farmers can begin by identifying their biggest climate risk. For one farmer, it may be water shortage. For another, it may be heat stress, poor drainage or dependence on one crop.

The next step is to prepare before conditions become severe. Check local advisories. Review available water. Monitor soil moisture. Keep crop and livestock records. These steps cannot control the monsoon, but they can help farmers respond faster when weather conditions begin changing.