El Nino impact: farm scientists call for crop holiday to paddy
Agricultural scientists in India have recommended a crop holiday for paddy farmers due to severe water shortages caused by El Nino. The government is urging farmers to switch to less water-intensive crops and is prioritizing water resources for drinking purposes.
Why it matters
This proactive measure highlights the growing threat of climate-driven water scarcity to food security and agricultural livelihoods in India.
As the State prepares itself for water shortages due to the severe El Nino, agriculture scientists have recommended declaration of a crop holiday, especially for paddy, and instead take steps to expand vegetable cultivation.
They advised farmers to cultivate crops that require less water, given the extremely limited availability of water due to El Niño. Cultivation of four types of pulses — green gram, black gram, chickpea and groundnut — along with oilseed crops such as sunflower, sesame and safflower, which require less water - could be taken up.
The farm scientists gave their suggestion during a video conference conducted by the government on Monday with all stakeholders. Farmers were advised to use water and energy resources “extremely judiciously” keeping in view the severity of the El Nino phenomenon.
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