Centre reviews Kharif preparedness amid El Niño concerns; 315 districts flagged for contingency plan
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed Kharif preparedness with States on 23 June 2026 as rainfall ran about 43% below normal, with 315 districts identified as potentially affected.
Summary
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a high-level virtual meeting with State Agriculture Ministers, District Collectors and experts from ICAR, ICAR-CRIDA and the India Meteorological Department on 23 June 2026 to review Kharif preparedness amid possible El Niño conditions. Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the southwest monsoon is significantly delayed and rainfall so far is around 43% below normal. The Ministry of Agriculture and ICAR identified about 315 potentially affected districts: 111 high-priority districts with irrigation coverage below 25%, 76 medium-priority districts with 25–50% coverage and 128 low-priority districts. PMFBY, KCC and PM-KISAN were named as farmers' three key safety nets.
Key facts
- Meeting
- Virtual, 23 June 2026, chaired by Shivraj Singh Chouhan
- Rainfall so far
- About 43% below normal
- Vulnerable districts
- About 315
- High priority
- 111 (irrigation below 25%)
- Medium priority
- 76 (irrigation 25–50%)
- Low priority
- 128
- Safety nets
- PMFBY, KCC, PM-KISAN
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many districts were identified as potentially affected by weak monsoon conditions at the Kharif preparedness review on 23 June 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 315
About 315 districts were identified: 111 high priority, 76 medium priority and 128 low priority.
In the El Niño contingency classification announced on 23 June 2026, what was the criterion for a district to be placed in the 'high priority' category?
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Correct answer: A — Irrigation coverage below 25%
The 111 high-priority districts are those with irrigation coverage below 25%; 25–50% coverage districts (76) are medium priority.
Consider the following statements about the Kharif preparedness review of 23 June 2026: 1. Rainfall so far was stated to be around 43% below normal. 2. PMFBY, KCC and PM-KISAN were named as farmers' three key safety nets. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan after the meeting.