Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday asked states to assess irrigation water and soil moisture before finalising their rabi crop plans, warning that water-intensive crops could suffer if supplies run short after sowing.
Addressing the two-day National Agriculture Conference — Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi, Chouhan called for coordinated planning, scientific assessment and close monitoring in the field as the sowing season approaches.
Climate change, erratic rainfall and water constraints require planning based on data and stronger coordination between the Centre and states to protect food security and farm incomes, he said.
Chouhan asked every state and district to prepare a water budget before settling its crop plan. Rainfall had been below normal, though not enough to severely affect water availability nationally, he said. Shortages in some states remained a concern.
States should assess water availability and soil moisture in vulnerable areas and arrange irrigation in advance, he said. “There should be no situation where a crop requiring more water is sown and adequate water is subsequently unavailable, resulting in crop losses.”
Chouhan expressed concern about drought conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka. He said nearly two-thirds of Maharashtra had been affected and the state had declared a drought, while Karnataka faced drought-like conditions.
A Central team would visit Karnataka on October 3 for a ground assessment, and another would be sent to Maharashtra, he said. Chouhan said he would also visit the affected states with his team.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh need crop plans based on water availability and soil moisture, with separate strategies for rainfed and irrigated areas, he said. Delayed sowing could affect germination and productivity, making advance preparation essential.
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