Southwest Monsoon Dynamics and Agricultural Vulnerability
Agriculture
- PYQs5
- Articles1
Background
Understanding monsoon dynamics is fundamental for India's food security, rural development, water resource management, and disaster preparedness. It directly influences agricultural policy, economic planning, and the welfare of a large population dependent on agriculture.
The southwest monsoon is the primary driver of India's agricultural economy, delivering over 70% of the country's annual rainfall crucial for kharif crops and replenishing water resources. Its variability in onset, distribution, and total quantum directly impacts food security, farmer livelihoods, and macroeconomic stability.
Facts & tables
- IMD Forecast for 2026
- 90% of Long Period Average (LPA), with a 60% probability of an outright deficient year.
- Regional Impact
- Northwest, Central India, Peninsula, and Monsoon Core Zone forecast to fall short of normal rainfall.
- Agricultural Vulnerability
- Rain-fed farmland faces risk of unwatered sown crops; compounded by existing input crisis (energy, fertilizer scarcity).
- Government Preparedness
- Inter-ministerial coordination (Agriculture, Jal Shakti, Consumer Affairs, Disaster Management) for advisories, water management, and relief.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies |
| Conceptual area | Physical & Regional Geography |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| India Meteorological Department (IMD) | Forecasts |
| Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | Implements |
| Ministry of Jal Shakti | Implements |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Monsoon is India's agricultural lifeline; IMD forecasts critical.
- Deficient monsoon predicted for 2026, especially in core zones.
- Impact compounded by existing agricultural input crisis.
- Government response involves inter-ministerial coordination and advisories.
- Focus on short-duration, less water-intensive crops (pulses, millets).
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2018 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2015 | Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
-
Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies
Conceptual area
-
Physical & Regional Geography
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2018
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Missed call: On India and the southwest monsoon
The southwest monsoon is vital for India's agriculture, but a forecast deficient year, exacerbated by an input crisis and El Niño, poses significant challenges requiring proactive government intervention in crop advisories, water management, and relief.
See also
Past papers
2015–2020 · 3 questions
In the news
Missed call: On India and the southwest monsoon
The southwest monsoon is vital for India's agriculture, but a forecast deficient year, exacerbated by an input crisis and El Niño, poses significant challenges requiring proactive government intervention in crop advisories, water management, and relief.
Try these PYQs
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.
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 can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?
1. The proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the soil can occur.
2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place
3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers actually reduces the need for nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the soil. Plants can readily utilize the added nitrogen, so these microbes wouldn't need to fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plants' benefit. Statement 2 is correct: Nitrogenous fertilizers can release acidic compounds as they break down in the soil, leading to increased soil acidity. Statement 3 is correct: When applied in excess, nitrogen fertilizers (especially nitrates) can be easily washed away by rain or irrigation water. This can contaminate groundwater sources.
Consider the following statements
1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years.
2. The Government does not impose any customs duty on all the imported edible oils as a special case.
Which of the two statements given above is/are correct
Statement 1 is correct. Domestic production of edible oil in 2018 was around 100 Lakh Metric tons (LMT) while import was around 150 LMT. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Government of India does impose customs duties on imported edible oils. The rates of these duties may vary depending on various factors, including the type of edible oil, international market conditions, and government policies aimed at promoting domestic production or protecting domestic producers.
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.