The Centre will send teams to Karnataka and Maharashtra to assess the drought situation in the two States. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said climate change, erratic rainfall and water shortages are creating challenges for agriculture. The government has also stressed the need for data-driven planning, scientific assessment and field-level monitoring for the upcoming Rabi 2026 season.

Why in the News?

The drought situation has raised concerns about water availability and agricultural planning ahead of the Rabi season. The Centre will use ground-level assessments to understand the situation and support better crop planning in the affected States.

  • Karnataka has declared a drought.
  • Maharashtra has declared drought across nearly two-thirds of the State.
  • A Central team will visit Karnataka on October 3, 2026.
  • A Central team will also be sent to Maharashtra.
  • Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are also facing a possible drought crisis.
  • The Centre has asked States to prepare crop plans based on water availability and soil moisture.

Water Budget Must Guide Crop Planning

Water availability is an important factor in deciding which crops can be grown during the Rabi season. A proper assessment of available water can help States and districts plan crops according to local conditions and reduce pressure on limited water resources.

  • States and districts have been asked to assess the water available for irrigation before finalising crop plans.
  • Areas with limited water should give priority to less water-intensive crops, such as:
    • Pulses
    • Oilseeds
  • Areas with assured irrigation can plan other crops accordingly.
  • States should assess:
    • Water availability
    • Soil moisture
    • Irrigation requirements
  • Rainfed areas require special planning because soil moisture largely determines crop choice and productivity.
  • The government has stressed that crops requiring more water should not be sown without ensuring adequate water availability.
  • Delayed sowing can affect germination and productivity.

Centre to Undertake Ground Assessment of Drought-Hit Areas

Ground-level assessment can provide information about the actual conditions faced by farmers and help authorities prepare region-specific responses. Such assessments are particularly important when rainfall and water availability vary across districts. Maharashtra and Karnataka are facing serious drought and water scarcity concerns. Nearly two-thirds of Maharashtra has been affected, according to the Agriculture Minister.

  • A Central team will conduct a ground assessment in Karnataka on October 3.
  • A Central team will also be sent to Maharashtra.
  • Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh need crop plans based on:
    • Water availability
    • Soil moisture
    • Local conditions
  • Separate strategies should be prepared for rainfed and irrigated areas.
  • Timely sowing is important as delayed sowing can affect germination and productivity.

Timely Availability of Quality Seed

The availability of suitable seed is important for farmers preparing for the Rabi season. Advanced planning can help ensure that farmers receive the required varieties within the appropriate sowing period.

  • Quality seed has been identified as a key priority for Rabi preparations.
  • States should identify varieties suitable for different regions and agro-climatic conditions.
  • A complete roadmap should cover:
    • Seed demand
    • Procurement
    • Lifting
    • Distribution
  • States should identify varieties that have gained acceptance among farmers.
  • Farmers should be made aware of suitable varieties through extension activities.
  • The objective is to ensure that quality seeds reach farmers before the sowing window.

Push for Pulses and Oilseeds

States have been asked to promote pulses and oilseeds, especially in areas that remain fallow after paddy cultivation. These crops require relatively less water. The move supports India's objective of achieving self-reliance in pulses and edible oils.

  • States have been asked to finalise their Rabi plans by September 29.
  • Important crops include:
    • Chana
    • Masoor
    • Mustard
  • Production planning should be supported by assured markets and procurement.
  • Farmers need confidence that their produce will be procured on time.

Procurement Planning Must be in Place in Advance

Procurement arrangements should be planned along with production. If State governments are unable to undertake procurement on time, NAFED and NCCF can undertake direct procurement from farmers. States need to ensure timely mandi-related arrangements.

  • The Centre has approved large-scale procurement proposals for pulses and oilseeds under the Price Support Scheme (PSS).
  • States should prepare a complete procurement roadmap covering:
    • Seed availability
    • Distribution
    • Production
    • Market arrangements
  • States have also been asked to consult farmers while preparing seed plans.
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) should be used effectively to support farmers.

Balanced Fertiliser Use and ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’

Fertiliser use affects both the cost of cultivation and the condition of agricultural soil. The focus on balanced use is intended to support more efficient farming practices while maintaining soil health over the long term. States have been asked to promote balanced fertiliser use. Excessive fertiliser application can:

  • Increase cultivation costs.
  • Affect soil health.

The ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, launched during the Kharif season, should also be extended to Rabi. States should share experiences where fertiliser use has declined without affecting production. Farmers should receive scientific guidance on balanced fertiliser application. Fertilisers must be available to farmers before sowing.

  • Farmer ID is being used in pilot initiatives to improve fertiliser distribution and prevent diversion and black marketing.
  • The Centre is spending around ₹2 lakh crore on fertiliser subsidy.
  • Subsidised prices mentioned at the conference include:
    • Urea: ₹266 per bag
    • DAP: ₹1,350 per bag
  • The campaign also focuses on protecting soil health, beneficial organisms, and long-term farmland productivity.

Natural Farming: Focus on Branding, Marketing and Certification

Natural farming products need access to organised markets if farmers are to receive better returns from these practices. Branding and certification can help create cleaner market identities for such products.

  • Farmers are increasingly showing interest in natural farming.
  • States have been asked to focus on:
    • Branding
    • Marketing
    • Certification
  • Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have developed brands for natural farming products.
  • Better branding can help natural farming products establish a market identity and obtain better prices.
  • Certification should not become a barrier for farmers.

Farmer Credit Card and Farmer ID Need Greater Coverage

Around 9.54 crore farmer families are covered under PM-KISAN. However, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) coverage remains inadequate in several areas. States have been asked to identify areas where KCC coverage is low.

  • They should also examine delays in loan sanctioning at the banking level.
  • The objective is to ensure timely access to institutional credit for farmers who need it.
  • States have been asked to accelerate work on Farmer ID and AgriStack.
  • Tenant farmers and farmers cultivating land at different locations should also be included in the Farmer ID framework.
  • A strong digital system can improve the delivery of government schemes.

Weekly Monitoring of Crops, Disease and Market Prices

Regular monitoring can help authorities respond to agricultural problems before they become more difficult to manage. Information on crops, diseases and markets can also support timely decisions at the State and national levels.

  • States have been asked to conduct weekly monitoring of:
    • Crop conditions
    • Sowing progress
    • Germination
    • Pest and disease attacks
    • Market prices
  • Real-time information can help authorities identify emerging problems and take corrective action.
  • The Agriculture Ministry also conducts weekly national-level reviews covering:
    • Crop conditions
    • Market rates
    • Disease outbreaks

Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture

Changing weather conditions are making agricultural planning more dependent on local climate and resource conditions. The focus on resilience aims to help agriculture respond to these changes while supporting productivity and farmer incomes.

  • Changing weather patterns and uneven rainfall have increased the need for:
    • Agricultural diversification
    • Sustainable farming
    • Research-based agricultural practices
  • Greater focus is required on improving farmers’ incomes.
  • Important areas include:
    • Per Drop More Crop
    • Soil health management
    • Modern agricultural infrastructure
    • Market mechanisms
    • Digital agriculture
  • These initiatives need to reach farmers at the last mile.

Key Priorities for Rabi 2026

The Rabi season requires coordinated planning from crop selection and seed availability to farming practices and market support. The government has outlined several areas for attention as States prepare their seasonal plans. The upcoming Rabi campaign will focus on:

  • Self-reliance in agriculture
  • Crop diversification
  • Climate-resilient agriculture
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Digital agriculture
  • Risk mitigation
  • Promotion of oilseeds and pulses
  • Diversification in rice-fallow areas
  • Better:
    • Crop and variety selection
    • Quality seeds
    • Mechanisation
    • Biological solutions
    • Seed treatment

Large-scale demonstrations of green ammonia are planned across 10,000 acres in 37 districts of six States.

Conclusion

The Centre’s decision to send teams to Karnataka and Maharashtra comes amid concerns over drought, water scarcity and changing weather patterns. The Rabi 2026 strategy focuses on water-based crop planning, timely sowing, quality seeds, pulses and oilseeds, procurement, balanced fertiliser use, natural farming, digital agriculture and regular monitoring. These measures are aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience, improving farmers’ incomes and supporting food security.