Farmers urged to prepare for potential El Nino impact

In the backdrop of possible El Nino conditions developing in 2026, farmers should take advance precautions and plan agricultural activities accordingly, said Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) Vice-Chancellor R. Sarada Jayalakshmi Devi.

In a press statement, she said that the natural phenomenon, occurring once every two to seven years, may influence monsoon rainfall and the agricultural sector in the country. El Nino is a climatic condition that occurs when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean rise above normal levels, she explained. When it develops, it can lead to significant changes in global wind circulation patterns, rainfall distribution, and temperatures.

She said international climate organisations have indicated that the probability of El Nino developing in 2026 is increasing. If changes occur in the monsoon pattern, the agricultural sector may also be impacted. Particularly in regions where rain-fed agriculture is predominant, farmers can reduce the impact of climate variability by closely monitoring weather conditions and adopting scientific farming practices, the Vice-Chancellor advised.