India urges farmers to switch to less moisture-demanding crops due to lack of rainfall

India’s agriculture ministry has advised farmers in irrigated areas to increase their planting of pulses, oilseeds and millets amid a weak start to the monsoon season. The government fears that the lack of rainfall could hit yields and rural incomes.

India’s rainfall since June 1 has been 42% below the multi-year average, according to government data. New Delhi is stepping up coordination with state governments to mitigate risks to the agricultural sector during the 2026 sowing season.

The ministry has identified 315 districts that could be affected by insufficient rainfall, 111 of which are in the priority group due to low irrigation availability. Specific action plans have been prepared for each district, providing recommendations on crop selection, water management and response measures in case of further deterioration in weather conditions.

The most at-risk areas are located in 12 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. These regions are key producers of soybean, sugarcane, cotton, groundnut, maize and rice, so weather problems can affect the national agricultural production.

The government is also stepping up water conservation programs, repairing reservoirs and tanks, monitoring water levels in reservoirs and expanding farmers’ access to crop insurance and credit. At the same time, the ministry emphasizes that the country’s rice and wheat stocks remain sufficient, so there is no immediate threat to food security at the moment.

Tags: oilseeds, pulses, Millet