Indian agriculture faces a critical challenge as the Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) warns of the increasing threats posed by El Niño. The report, titled ‘Inspired by nature: El Niño-ready farming for climate resilience and our future’, underscores the necessity for a national priority shift towards climate-resilient farming systems.
El Niño's Impact on Agriculture
The report highlights that El Niño events have historically weakened monsoons, leading to moisture deficits and increased vulnerability during the kharif season. This necessitates a focus on preparedness, adaptation, and risk management in agricultural planning.
"Agricultural planning must increasingly focus on preparedness, adaptation and risk management rather than reactive responses to climate-related disruptions," the report states.
Supply Side Challenges
India experienced extreme weather events on 331 out of 334 days between January and November 2025, affecting over 17 million hectares of cropped area. The report cites alarming soil degradation trends, with 97% of tested soil samples deficient in nitrogen and 85% lacking adequate organic carbon.
| Soil Deficiency | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | 97% |
| Organic Carbon | 85% |
Demand Side Considerations
The report acknowledges government efforts in strengthening farmers' resilience through technology adoption and climate-smart practices. These initiatives provide a foundation for long-term agricultural transformation.
Future Outlook
FAIFA advocates for a dual transition—ecological and technological—to enhance resilience across agricultural systems. Key strategies include restoring soil health, reducing chemical input dependency, improving water-use efficiency, and promoting crop diversification.
The report calls for integrating emerging technologies like AgriStack and Bharat-VISTAAR to transform Indian agriculture.
As the agricultural sector braces for potential El Niño impacts, the focus will be on upcoming USDA and FAO data releases to guide strategic planning.
