Madhya Pradesh readies contingency plan for Rabi 2026-27 after uneven monsoon
Madhya Pradesh's agriculture department has developed a contingency plan for the 2026-27 Rabi season in response to uneven rainfall caused by El Niño conditions. The plan, titled "Cropwise and Agri Climatic Zone wise recommended varieties as per water availability for Rabi 2026-27", aims to protect farmers from climate-induced losses.
The state has been divided into 10 agro-climatic zones, with region-specific crop variety recommendations based on irrigation availability. For non-irrigated areas in the Vindhya Plain zone, wheat variety MPO (J W) 1255 is suggested, while irrigated regions are advised to sow varieties including MP 3382, Pusa Tejas, and MP 3465. Similar recommendations have been made for gram, peanut, and oilseed crops across different land types.
The Malwa belt experienced significantly lower rainfall during the monsoon, raising concerns about water availability for the upcoming Rabi season. The contingency plan also incorporates climate-adaptive agricultural practices tailored to the state's changing weather patterns.
