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El Nino unlikely to hit kharif production significantly: Agriculture Minister
Aug-19-2026

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said the impact of El Nino on kharif production this year is unlikely to be significant, as the gap in sown area continues to narrow despite deficient rainfall in some pockets. He said kharif crops have received adequate rainfall for growth across most parts of the country, bringing down the number of vulnerable districts from 262 to around 100. He added that the shortfall in sown area, which stood at 11 per cent last week, has since narrowed and is expected to reduce further.

On the impact of deficient rainfall on kharif output, Chouhan said, “As of now, we see no impact.” He noted that states such as Karnataka and Telangana were facing water shortages but maintained that overall sowing had been good, with only a localised impact expected. He also said the Seeds Bill and the Pesticides Management Bill were ready in draft form and would be tabled in Parliament in the next session as part of the government’s agriculture-sector reforms.

As of August 14, sowing of kharif crops had been completed on 92 per cent of the average sown area, with the total sown area at 1,016.57 lakh hectares - 2 per cent lower than a year ago. Sowing, which typically gathers pace with the onset of the southwest monsoon in June, was delayed this year amid El Nino conditions. According to India Meteorological Department data, the overall monsoon deficit stood at 12 per cent till August 12, with the shortfall sharpest in east and northeast India at 26 per cent, followed by 19 per cent in the south peninsula and 11 per cent in northwest India.
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