El Nino threatens India's rabi crop production

India's upcoming rabi (winter) crop season faces significant challenges due to the El Nino weather pattern, which could impact foodgrain production, particularly in rainfed areas. Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra warned that the strengthening El Nino pattern, predicted by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia University to become ‘very strong’ in late 2026 and early 2027, poses elevated climate risks.

During a national conference on rabi preparedness, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh must develop crop plans tailored to specific water availability and soil moisture levels. While the impact on the kharif (summer) season was relatively limited, officials noted that the effects of El Nino may be more pronounced during the rabi sowing period starting in October.

Chandra highlighted that climate change is already manifesting through untimely and heavy rainfall that damages even irrigated crops. He noted that while India is self-reliant in cereals, the country still relies on imports for pulses, oilseeds, and certain horticultural products.