El Nino's Impact on Indian Agriculture
Agriculture
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
El Nino is a recurring climatic event with profound implications for India's food security, farmer livelihoods, rural economy, and macroeconomic stability (e.g., inflation). Understanding its mechanisms and mitigation strategies is crucial for policy analysis.
El Nino is a climate pattern characterized by the warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, which significantly influences global weather patterns, often leading to a weakening of the Indian monsoon and subsequent drought conditions. This phenomenon directly impacts India's agriculture, particularly its rainfed regions.
Facts & tables
- Monsoon Weakening
- Weakens the Indian monsoon, leading to rainfall deficits (e.g., 43% below normal in early season).
- Kharif Crop Impact
- Directly affects Kharif crops, especially in rainfed areas heavily dependent on monsoon rains.
- Fodder Shortages
- Can lead to fodder shortages for livestock, necessitating advance supply plans.
- Government Response
- Triggers the need for proactive government interventions and contingency planning.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Climate Change & Conventions |
| Conceptual area | Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) | Provides forecasts |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Policy measures
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- El Nino: Pacific Ocean warming, global weather disruption.
- India: Weakens monsoon, causes rainfall deficit.
- Impact: Kharif crops, rainfed areas, fodder shortage.
- Consequences: Food security, farmer income, rural economy.
- Response: Proactive planning, mitigation strategies.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2026 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
-
Climate Change & Conventions
Conceptual area
-
Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2026
Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
El Nino effect: Centre says 111 districts with ‘poor irrigation facilities’ are a concern
El Nino weakens the Indian monsoon, causing rainfall deficits that severely impact Kharif crops in rainfed regions and can lead to fodder shortages, necessitating government contingency plans.
See also
Past papers
2014–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
El Nino effect: Centre says 111 districts with ‘poor irrigation facilities’ are a concern
El Nino weakens the Indian monsoon, causing rainfall deficits that severely impact Kharif crops in rainfed regions and can lead to fodder shortages, necessitating government contingency plans.
Try these PYQs
Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme explicitly promotes Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) rather than monoculture. It integrates multi-cropping and rotational cropping with allied activities like horticulture, livestock, fishery, and agro-forestry to diversify income and build resilience. Official guidelines actively discourage single-cropping (monoculture) systems. Statement 2 is Incorrect: As the name implies, RAD targets rainfed areas (regions lacking assured irrigation) to build resilience against climate variability. It does not focus on expanding water-intensive crops like rice in already irrigated regions. Statement 3 is Correct: The core objective of RAD is to make rainfed agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative, and climate-resilient. By diversifying income sources through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), RAD aims to minimize the risks associated with climatic variability (such as droughts, heat stress, or floods) and crop failure, ensuring stable livelihoods for farmers. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach is an initiative under the CCAFS program, which focuses on improving climate resilience in agriculture through research and innovation. CCAFS operates in multiple countries, including India, and works on sustainable farming practices, resource efficiency, and climate adaptation strategies in rural areas. Statement 2 is correct. CCAFS is a global research initiative under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is a network of international agricultural research organizations. However, CGIAR’s global headquarters is in Montpellier, France, making the statement factually accurate. Statement 3 is correct. ICRISAT, based in Hyderabad, India, is a major research institute focusing on improving dryland agriculture. It is indeed one of the CGIAR’s 15 global research centers, working on climate resilience, crop improvement, and food security in semi-arid regions.
Programme/ Project Ministry
1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Ministry of Rural Development
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is not correct: The drought prone area programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. This programme aims to mitigate the impacts of droughts on crop production, livestock, land and water resources. Pair 2 is not correct: The Desert Development Programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. The basic objective of the Desert Development Programme is to minimise negative effect of drought and control desertification. Pair 3 is not correct: The national watershed project for rainfed areas implemented by Ministry of Agriculture is an umbrella scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana.
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Public investment in agriculture refers to government expenditures aimed at improving the agricultural sector, including infrastructure development, technological improvements, and providing institutional support. Statement 1 is incorrect: Fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a policy decision, not an investment. While it affects the agricultural sector, it is not a direct public investment in terms of capital expenditure. Statement 2 is correct: The computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) is a public investment because it involves government funds directed towards modernizing agricultural credit systems, enhancing efficiency, and accessibility for farmers. Statement 3 is correct: Social Capital development is a public investment in agriculture, as it involves building networks and community-based resources that help farmers improve productivity and access to resources. Statement 4 is incorrect: Free electricity supply is more of a subsidy, not a direct public investment in the form of capital expenditure. Statement 5 is incorrect: Waiver of agricultural loans is a policy measure aimed at alleviating farmer debt but does not qualify as an investment in infrastructure or capital. Statement 6 is correct: The setting up of cold storage facilities by the government is a direct public investment aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".
Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations guides its global work through a strategic framework aimed at supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The core organizing principle of this framework is the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to achieve the "Four Betters". The "Four Betters" are officially defined as:
1. Better Production: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
2. Better Nutrition: Ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving access to healthy diets.
3. Better Environment: Protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
4. Better Life: Promoting inclusive economic growth and reducing inequalities, leaving no one behind. The Blue Transformation is a specific FAO vision and programmatic priority area that aims to secure and maximize the contribution of aquatic food systems (fisheries and aquaculture) to achieve these overarching "Four Betters". Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they include fabricated pillars such as "better ocean", "better coral reefs", "better estuaries", or "better mangrove vegetation", which are not part of the FAO's official strategic framework. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Show 3 more PYQs
With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. The Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion aims to demonstrate improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with a cluster approach. Statement 2 is also correct. Millets are mainly grown in regions of low annual rainfall and poor arid soil. It is inadequate, small, marginal and tribal farmers, who cannot afford costly irrigation practices, depend on the cultivation of millets. Hence these farmers benefit from the scheme and have a larger stake in this scheme. Statement 3 is not correct. There is no such provision to encourage commercial crop farmers to shift to millet cultivation.
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?
1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is correct: Fertigation is a method of delivering fertilizers to crops through an irrigation system. It involves the precise application of water-soluble or liquid fertilizers directly to the root zone of plants during the irrigation process. This technique allows for the controlled release of nutrients, ensuring that plants receive the right amount at the right time.
Fertigation allows for the control of the pH of the irrigation water, which can be adjusted to the optimal level for nutrient absorption by the plants. Statement 2 is incorrect: While fertigation does allow for the efficient application of many types of fertilizers, rock phosphate is not water-soluble and therefore cannot be applied efficiently through fertigation. Statement 3 is correct: Because fertigation delivers nutrients directly to the root zone of plants, it increases the availability of nutrients to the plants. Statement 4 is correct: Fertigation allows for the precise application of nutrients, which reduces the risk of nutrient leaching. Therefore, options 1, 3, and 4 are correct.
Consider the following statements:
1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison of Scheduled Commercial Banks are Regional Rural Banks
2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) generally deliver more credit compared to District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). SCBs and RRBs have a larger network and resources to provide credit to the agriculture sector. Statement 2 is correct. One of the primary functions of DCCBs is indeed to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). DCCBs act as the intermediary between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and PACS, facilitating the flow of credit from the central bank to the grassroots level through cooperative credit institutions. Hence, option B is the correct answer.