Seeing the danger of El Nino, the central government is strict, made an action plan… weather and crops will be monitored

The central government is in full alert mode to deal with the possible threats of El Nino and its adverse impact on the monsoon. The government has geared up. Crisis management groups along with contingency plans and groups for monitoring crops and weather have been formed.

What is the government’s preparation?

The estimated reason for reduction in monsoon rains is El Nino, due to which the government has formed Crisis Management Groups. Disaster management and state officials have been included in this. There are weather watch groups to monitor the weather and crops, which will meet every week and prepare reports after monitoring the situation. Along with this, weather, sowing, availability of seeds, availability of water in reservoirs are also being monitored.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan had recently held high-level review meetings and directed the states to immediately implement district-level contingency plans. These instructions were issued by the Indian Meteorological Department and the World Meteorological Organization after the monsoon was expected to be affected (reduced rainfall) and then the central and state governments started working on various strategies.

Contingency plan has been implemented for more than 240 districts of the country. Instructions have been given to keep additional reserves in the National Seed Reserve. Besides, farmers will be given timely information about monsoon and advice has also been given to cultivate drought-tolerant crops.

What is the action plan?

1. Distribution of low water seeds: Availability of seeds of drought-tolerant and short-term crops is being ensured in the affected districts.
2. Crop Monitoring Group: Special crop monitoring groups have been formed to keep a close watch on the condition of crops.
3. Alternative Crop Plan: If there is a delay in sowing of main Kharif crops (like paddy), farmers are being advised at the district level to grow alternative crops.
4. Protection from pests: Keeping in view the possibility of increase in insects or diseases in crops due to change in weather, advance medicines and guidelines have been prepared.

Water and Resource Management

• Conservation of soil moisture: Rural development agencies have been instructed to maintain soil moisture through farm ponds and local measures.
• Scientific Use of Reservoirs: Where water is available in dams or reservoirs, it will be used in a very balanced and prioritized manner to save crops.

Let us tell you that El Nino affects the entire world. At some places there is drought and at other places there is heavy rain. The heat increases at some places. The cold subsides in some places. Meaning the balance of weather gets disturbed.