newspop
New Delhi : As uncertainty over the southwest monsoon continues, the Centre has ramped up its nationwide Kharif preparedness with a multi-pronged strategy aimed at protecting farmers and ensuring crop security.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the monsoon deficit has improved from 33% in June to 24% in July, while the number of rainfall-deficient districts has dropped from 262 to 178, offering hope for better sowing conditions.
So far, Kharif sowing has covered 350.85 lakh hectares, though it remains 91.95 lakh hectares behind last year’s pace, largely due to delays affecting soybean and cotton cultivation. Farmers have been advised to opt for short-duration, low-water crops such as maize, bajra, and moong wherever required.
The Centre has activated district-level contingency plans, built a 1.75 lakh quintal national seed reserve, expanded the Kisan Credit Card drive, and strengthened coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to minimise risks.
An El Niño Monitoring Cell, Crop Weather Watch Group, and state control rooms are continuously tracking rainfall, crop health, and market trends to enable swift intervention if conditions worsen.
The government remains optimistic that improved rainfall in the coming weeks will accelerate Kharif sowing and provide much-needed relief to farmers across the country.
