The agriculture ministry on Tuesday directed central and state agencies to activate district-level contingency plans immediately after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast a below-normal southwest monsoon and the possible development of El Nino during the rainy season.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who chaired a high-level meeting at Krishi Bhawan, said preparations should prioritise timely farmer advisories, availability of certified drought-tolerant and short-duration seeds, moisture conservation and scientific use of reservoir water.He told officials the contingency plans must be implemented based on local conditions and should not remain “mere paperwork”.
