There have been growing fears that El Nino might have an effect on the Rabi crop. Atish Chandra, who is the Secretary of Agriculture, stated that El Nino would affect the Rabi crop in states that are experiencing low rains.

Speaking at a meeting on the preparation of the Rabi crop on Monday, Chandra stated that the Kharif crop was difficult in states where there are low rains due to El Nino and this will make the Rabi crop in those regions difficult too. This will have an effect on grain production.

Due to low rain in states due to El Nino, the problem was to sow the crop initially and then take care of it later. Such crops include wheat, oilseeds, and gram. These are planted when there is the Rabi crop.

The latest report released by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) has indicated that El Nino will be very powerful in late 2026 and early 2027. Nevertheless, the general effect that El Nino will have on Kharif will be moderate. There was an emphasis on crop diversification in this meeting.

As per Chandra, Rabi crops are sown in 63.8 million hectares. Out of these, 30 million hectares are wheat. There are pulses planted in 14 million hectares, oilseeds in 8.7 million hectares, while other coarse grains in 5.5 million hectares.

According to PTI, Chandra said that some states may face problems with excessive soil moisture, while areas with low rainfall may experience prolonged moisture deficit.

A strategy needs to be developed accordingly for the Rabi season. Describing climate change as a reality, he said that even in irrigated areas, many areas have experienced unseasonal heavy rainfall, damaging crops.

Chandra said, "We used to think that the challenges of climate change would be addressed later. However, we are now seeing changes, and these changes are happening very rapidly." India has achieved self-sufficiency in grains, but it still imports some horticultural products such as pulses, oilseeds, and fruits.

There have been growing fears that El Nino might have an effect on the Rabi crop. Atish Chandra, who is the Secretary of Agriculture, stated that El Nino would affect the Rabi crop in states that are experiencing low rains.

Speaking at a meeting on the preparation of the Rabi crop on Monday, Chandra stated that the Kharif crop was difficult in states where there are low rains due to El Nino and this will make the Rabi crop in those regions difficult too. This will have an effect on grain production.

Due to low rain in states due to El Nino, the problem was to sow the crop initially and then take care of it later. Such crops include wheat, oilseeds, and gram. These are planted when there is the Rabi crop.

The latest report released by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) has indicated that El Nino will be very powerful in late 2026 and early 2027. Nevertheless, the general effect that El Nino will have on Kharif will be moderate. There was an emphasis on crop diversification in this meeting.

As per Chandra, Rabi crops are sown in 63.8 million hectares. Out of these, 30 million hectares are wheat. There are pulses planted in 14 million hectares, oilseeds in 8.7 million hectares, while other coarse grains in 5.5 million hectares.

According to PTI, Chandra said that some states may face problems with excessive soil moisture, while areas with low rainfall may experience prolonged moisture deficit.

A strategy needs to be developed accordingly for the Rabi season. Describing climate change as a reality, he said that even in irrigated areas, many areas have experienced unseasonal heavy rainfall, damaging crops.

Chandra said, "We used to think that the challenges of climate change would be addressed later. However, we are now seeing changes, and these changes are happening very rapidly." India has achieved self-sufficiency in grains, but it still imports some horticultural products such as pulses, oilseeds, and fruits.