Rabi season preparations intensify amid monsoon deficit and El Nino concerns for winter crops

New Delhi: The agriculture ministry has stepped up preparations for the upcoming rabi season, working with states on crop planning, seed and fertiliser availability, and water management, as a deficient monsoon and an intensifying El Nino raise concerns over soil moisture and reservoir status for winter crops.

The ministry is preparing for the national Rabi Conference by the end of this month in consultation with states, where crop-wise production strategies for areas affected by deficient rainfall are expected to be discussed, a senior official said.

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The rabi preparations come amid renewed food-price pressures, with wholesale food inflation rising to 7.05% in August from 6.65% in July. Inadequate planting could affect the output of winter staples such as wheat, pulses and oilseeds and potentially feed into food inflation in the coming months.

States have been asked to assess district-wise conditions ahead of rabi sowing, including residual soil moisture and reservoir and groundwater availability, and identify areas where farmers may need alternative crops, short-duration varieties or other interventions.

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The move assumes greater significance this year as the southwest monsoon has remained deficient and El Nino has strengthened during the season, leaving parts of the country with lower soil moisture when rabi planting begins from October.