Farmers Turn to Alternative Crops as El Niño Risk Grows

India’s agricultural research system is encouraging farmers to consider alternative crops and flexible planting plans as the country prepares for possible El Niño-related weather risks.

The ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture organised a workshop on alternative crops on August 19. The programme focused on helping farmers and agricultural officials prepare crop plans that can respond to changing rainfall and weather conditions.

The approach is different from simply waiting for weather conditions to improve. Farmers can reduce some risks by choosing crops and varieties that match the expected availability of water and the length of the growing season.

El Niño can influence rainfall patterns in India, although its effects vary between regions and seasons. A change in rainfall can affect sowing dates, crop establishment and yields.

Farmers who depend on one crop may face greater losses if rainfall arrives late or dry periods occur during sensitive growth stages.

Alternative crops can provide another option. In areas where water availability is expected to be lower, farmers may consider crops with shorter durations or lower water requirements, depending on local soil and market conditions.

The ICAR workshop focused on this type of planning rather than recommending one crop for the entire country. Local conditions remain important because the same crop can perform differently across regions.

Local planning matters

Agricultural scientists have increasingly stressed the need for farm plans based on local weather, soil and water conditions.

A farmer deciding what to plant needs more than a seasonal rainfall forecast. The decision also depends on seed availability, irrigation, input costs, expected prices and the time available before the next crop.

This makes crop diversification a practical farm decision rather than simply a climate strategy.

For example, if a farmer normally grows a long-duration crop but expects a shorter growing window, an early-maturing variety could provide more flexibility. In rainfed areas, selecting crops suited to local moisture conditions can also reduce dependence on irrigation.

Weather-based crop planning works best when farmers receive information before major farm decisions are made.

ICAR’s network of research institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras can help translate weather information into crop-level advice. Such advice can include suitable crops, varieties, sowing windows and farm management practices.

The aim is not to eliminate weather risk. Farmers cannot control when rainfall arrives or how temperatures change. The objective is to make farm decisions that are less exposed to a single weather outcome.

This is especially relevant for rainfed farming, where farmers have fewer options to compensate for rainfall shortages through irrigation.

Crop diversification can also protect income

Changing crops can affect farm income in both directions. A crop may require less water but have weaker market demand. Another may provide better prices but require more inputs.

Farmers therefore need to compare production costs and expected returns before switching.

Access to buyers also matters. A new crop is useful only if farmers can sell it at a price that covers production costs.

Agricultural extension workers and farmer organisations can help by connecting crop recommendations with local markets, seed suppliers and government support programmes.

The next season will test farm preparedness

The August 19 workshop shows that agricultural planning is already moving towards preparing for weather uncertainty rather than responding only after losses occur.

For farmers, the practical lesson is to keep more than one option available. Checking local rainfall forecasts, choosing suitable varieties, maintaining soil moisture and considering shorter-duration crops can help farms respond when weather conditions change.

The right crop will differ from one region to another. A strategy that works in a dryland district may not suit an irrigated farming area.

As India prepares for another uncertain weather season, crop planning at the farm and district level could become as important as the choice of seed itself.