Overview
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan convened a high‑level meeting with state agriculture ministers, district collectors and experts to discuss the impact of El Niño on the 2026 monsoon. The ministry reported that rainfall so far is about 43% below normal. A total of 315 districts are deemed vulnerable, with 111 districts in twelve states flagged as high‑priority because irrigation coverage is below 25%.
Key Developments
- Rainfall deficit of 43% compared with long‑term averages.
- Forecasts from the IMD suggest weak rains will continue at least until the week ending 2 July 2026.
- Identification of 315 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- Classification of districts:
- High priority – 111 districts (irrigation < 25%).
- Medium priority – 76 districts (irrigation 25‑50%).
- Low priority – 128 districts (better irrigation).
- Preparation of District Agriculture Contingency Plans by the ICAR.
- Emphasis on water‑conservation works under MGNREGA and the upcoming VB‑GRAMG to boost storage capacity.
- Advance planning for fodder logistics to prevent livestock feed shortages.
Important Facts
The high‑priority districts include 20 in Maharashtra, a state where irrigation is especially poor. The contingency plans recommend:
- Adoption of