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El Niño Moderate-to-Strong Phase Threatens Kharif & Rabi Crops; Govt Must Boost MSP & Imports

EconomyAgricultureEnvironmentCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
05 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:39.8% below normal June rainfall99.5 mm average June rainfall24.1% cumulative seasonal deficit (as on July 5)22.7% overall kharif sowing lag (till June 25)53.3% oilseeds sowing lag30.5% pulses sowing lag
Bodies:IMDIndia Meteorological Department
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What This Article Covers

1.June 2026 rainfall was the fifth-lowest on record (99.5 mm), with a 39.8% deficit; kharif sowing acreages lagged 22.7% as of June 25.

2.El Niño is forecast to intensify from moderate to strong/very strong, threatening both kharif (current) and rabi (wheat, mustard, chana) crops.

3.India imported record 16.9 mt vegetable oils in 2025-26 and 7.3 mt pulses in 2024-25; proactive MSP and import policies are needed to control inflation.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

A severe monsoon deficit (39.8% below normal in June) and an intensifying El Niño – moving from moderate to strong and very strong – threaten both kharif and rabi crops, risking a repeat of the 8.5% food inflation seen in 2023-24. This directly impacts India’s food price stability, import dependency (record 16.9 mt vegetable oils), and the performance of flagship schemes like PMFBY and MGNREGA.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

June 2026 Rainfall Deficit39.8% below normal
All-India June Rainfall (2026)99.5 mm (5th lowest since 1905)
Seasonal Deficit (as on July 5)24.1%
Kharif Sowing Lag (till June 25)22.7% overall; 53.3% oilseeds; 30.5% pulses; 34.6% cotton
Record Vegetable Oil Imports16.9 million tonnes (2025-26)
Record Pulses Imports7.3 million tonnes (2024-25)
Previous Strong El Niño Food Inflation>8.5% (July 2023-Dec 2024)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›June 2026 Rainfall Deficit: 39.8% below normal
  • ›All-India June Rainfall (2026): 99.5 mm (5th lowest since 1905)
  • ›Target this Data: June 2026 rainfall deficit = 39.8% below normal; cumulative deficit as on July 5 = 24.1%
  • ›Target this Data: All-India June 2026 average rainfall = 99.5 mm (5th lowest ever, after 2014, 2009, 1926, 1905)
  • ›Target this Data: Kharif sowing lag (till June 25, 2026): overall -22.7%; oilseeds -53.3%; pulses -30.5%; cotton -34.6%
  • ›Target this Data: Record vegetable oil imports = 16.9 million tonnes (2025-26); Record pulses imports = 7.3 million tonnes (2024-25)

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is primarily responsible for implementing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural crops in India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements about the impact of El Niño on Indian agriculture:

1. El Niño is known to suppress the southwest monsoon rainfall in India.

2. The 2023-24 El Niño event led to annual retail food inflation averaging over 8.5% for 18 months.

3. El Niño only affects kharif crops and has no impact on the rabi season.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the news article, what was the all-India average rainfall recorded in June 2026, which was the fifth-lowest for that month since records began?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason the article suggests the government must offer MSP for pulses, oilseeds, millets and cotton via payment of difference over open market rates?

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