Tripura is unlikely to face drought conditions this Kharif season after recording more than 1,000 mm of rainfall, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath said on Tuesday, 23 June. Nath made the statement following a high-level video conference convened by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to review nationwide preparedness amid El Niño concerns.

National Review Meeting

Union Minister Chouhan chaired a virtual conference attended by state agriculture ministers, senior officials, district collectors, and experts from ICAR, ICAR-CRIDA, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The meeting was convened to assess weather-related risks to the ongoing agricultural season, particularly in states that may experience a weak or erratic monsoon due to El Niño.

Nath described the Union Minister as 'very active and proactive,' noting that the Centre had taken advance measures to alert all state agriculture ministers even as India maintains self-reliance in food grain production — including paddy, wheat, and fish.

Tripura's Rainfall Position

According to IMD forecasts, the southwest monsoon is expected to remain above normal across the Northeastern region, including Tripura. The state has already recorded over 1,000 mm of rainfall this season, significantly reducing the probability of a drought scenario.

'In our state, more than 1,000 mm of rainfall has already been recorded. Therefore, there is virtually no possibility of a drought situation in Tripura. However, we are fully prepared to address any unforeseen circumstances if they arise,' Nath said.

Kharif Crop Preparedness

The Agriculture Department has been directed to take precautionary steps to boost Kharif crop productivity. These include the timely distribution of high-quality seeds, chemical fertilisers, and agricultural equipment such as sprayers to farmers across the state.

Nath emphasised a cluster-based cultivation approach for Kharif crops — including paddy, oilseeds, and pulses — to encourage community-based planting and sowing. 'Such an approach will help improve productivity and facilitate better management of agricultural activities,' he said.

Contingency Measures in Place

The state government has also readied irrigation infrastructure to provide life-saving support during dry spells, alongside contingency plans to protect agricultural output. 'Our government is fully prepared to tackle any kind of adverse situation and ensure that farmers do not face difficulties during the cropping season,' Nath added.

With El Niño posing a credible risk to several parts of the country, Tripura's above-normal rainfall offers a buffer — but officials say they are not lowering their guard ahead of the critical sowing period.