Bhubaneswar, June 15: The Odisha government on Monday reviewed preparations for the Kharif 2026 crop season and assessed the possible impact of El Niño. Chairing a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, Chief Secretary Anu Garg directed departments to ensure planning and coordinated action for uninterrupted farming activities and water availability.
According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has reached parts of coastal Odisha, and conditions remain favourable for further rainfall. While El Niño may lead to slightly below-normal rainfall nationally, officials said Odisha is unlikely to face any major impact.
To strengthen water management, the state will form a special task force to regularly review irrigation and water resources. Odisha has set a Kharif cultivation target of 57.88 lakh hectares, with irrigation coverage planned for 39.04 lakh hectares.
The Agriculture Department has arranged 2.66 lakh quintals of seeds, while adequate fertiliser stocks have been ensured across districts. Around 25 lakh farmers are expected to be covered under thePradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana during the season.
The Chief Secretary also stressed continuous monitoring of rainfall, reservoir levels, pest management, and groundwater recharge to ensure agricultural resilience and water security across the state.
