El Niño conditions threaten rabi crop output in rainfed regions

El Niño conditions are emerging as a serious threat to rabi crop production in rainfed areas across India, according to senior agricultural officials. The weather phenomenon is expected to impact yields during the critical winter crop season, which is heavily dependent on stored soil moisture and favorable climatic conditions in non-irrigated regions.

Agriculture Secretary officials have flagged concerns about potential output losses in states particularly vulnerable to erratic weather patterns. The anticipated dry conditions associated with El Niño could stress crops during their growth phase, reducing productivity in areas where farmers lack access to irrigation infrastructure.

In response to the emerging crisis, the administration has announced plans to dispatch assessment teams to Maharashtra and Karnataka in the coming weeks. These teams will evaluate the extent of drought impact on current crop conditions and provide critical data for policy responses and farmer support measures.

The rabi season, which runs from October to March, is crucial for India's food security and agricultural economy. Any significant output reduction in rainfed zones could have broader implications for national crop production targets and food availability. Officials indicated that preliminary assessments would inform decisions on relief packages and drought management strategies for affected farming communities.