The Contingency plans cover contingency strategies to be taken up by farmers in response to major weather related aberrations such as delay in onset and breaks in monsoon causing early, mid and late season droughts, floods, unusual rains, extreme weather events such as heat wave, cold wave, frost, hailstorm and cyclone.

1. By: Akash Singh
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2. Table
of
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Decision Tree for suggesting Contingency
measures
3. Strategies for Contingency Planning
4. Prologue to Contingency Plan
5. Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 2 Weeks
6. Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 4 Weeks
7. Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 6 Weeks
8. Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 8 Weeks
9. Plan during Early and Terminal Drought
10. Conclusion
11. Questions 2

3.  Contingency plan can be defined as a plan aimed and executed for an outcome other than in
the usual or expected plan. In other words, it is frequently used for risk management incase
of an exceptional risk in future.
 In general, the change in sowing or planting time of crops, change in seed rate, change in
schedule of fertilizer use, use of short duration varieties, improved crop genotypes form the
core component of contingency crop planning.
 The Contingency plans cover contingency strategies to be taken up by farmers in response to
major weather related aberrations such as delay in onset and breaks in monsoon causing
early, mid and late season droughts, floods, unusual rains, extreme weather events such as
heat wave, cold wave, frost, hailstorm and cyclone.
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4. Decision tree for suggesting Contingency measures for Drought
4
SW Monsoon
Delayed onset –
Delayed sowing
Rains received prior
to cut-off sowing date
Normal crop,
short duration
variety
Rains received
after cut-off
Contingent
crop
Normal onset –
Normal sowing
Breaks in
Monsoon
Early season
(Immediately after
normal sowing)
Gap filling /
resowing
Midseason
(vegetative/
flowering)
Crop-soil moisture-
nutrient conservation
measures
Terminal (early
withdrawal)
Early rabi /
rabi cropping

5. Strategies
1. Long, medium and short range weather forecasts of IMD may be used as the base to
plan the contingency responses at different levels as the season unfolds and
monsoon progresses in the ensuing kharif.
2. State Departments of Agriculture should have action plan to tackle various rainfall
scenarios in the state
• This should be followed up with a separate meeting by district planning units
involving officers from agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, power
distribution and irrigation to focus on preparedness for inputs, energy
requirements and to dovetail budgetary support from various ongoing schemes
for implementation of the contingency plan at the district level.
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6. 3. Continuous monitoring and in-season review are fundamental for effective
implementation of the contingency plan at the district level. Progressive information
on crop situation at the district level is crucial to execute the plan in needy blocks.
4. A sound seed production and storage plan should be put in place if needed at the
district level as a medium term strategy for making available seeds of alternate crops
and varieties that can be sown in case of delayed monsoon.
5. Ensure availability of breeder seed of contingency crops/varieties which are not
normally in the seed chain
• A nodal officer may be identified at the SAU level to liaison with line departments
to ensure supply of identified breeder / nucleus seed each year for multiplication
in the spring season or previous kharif season. A revolving fund may be thought of
to provide budgetary, manpower and infrastructure support for this purpose.
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7. 6. Seeds to be produced every year. In case the monsoon is normal and the seeds are not
used, they may be disposed off as grain. The financial modalities of the cost of production
of such seeds, transport, storage and the loss incurred when disposed off as grain needs
to be worked out and budgeted from on-going government schemes.
7. Village level seed banks (crop and fodder) need to be promoted to bring in self-
sufficiency at the local level and also contribute to the seed supply chain of those
varieties suitable for contingency situations elsewhere in the state or other states with
similar Agro-ecologies. Mechanisms and provisions may need to be evolved to address
issues related to certification for buy back arrangements by state seed agencies for
redistribution.
8. Adoption of drought and flood tolerant crop varieties in vulnerable districts should be
promoted as a risk minimization strategy. Seeds of such varieties may be sourced and
made available in sufficient quantities for promotion in drought and flood prone areas.
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8. 9. Availability of inputs related to nutrient management (e.g. foliar spray of KCl or KNO3 to
partially alleviate moisture stress during drought) and inputs related to reduction of
crop water demand (e.g. application of anti-transpirants or hormones) is an issue to be
addressed by the state departments.
10. Large scale demonstrations of climate resilient agronomic practices to create awareness
and promote widespread adoption by farmers at block level
• direct seeding options for short duration varieties in paddy for delayed situations;
• in situ moisture conservation practices and crop residue recycling;
• planting of millets, cotton, pulses and oilseed crops in ridge-furrow or raised bed
systems to ensure adequate drainage in case of excess rains
11. Promotion of farm implements on custom hiring basis or purchase Location-specific
farm implements needed in such contingency situations should be listed, reasonably
priced and provisions made for increasing their availability to farmers.
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9. 12. Production strategy for augmenting fodder supply in such situations is essential.
Similarly arrangements to increase production and supply of supplements (UMMB
blocks) to increase the palatability and digestibility of crop residues not normally fed
to livestock should be taken up.
13. Planned location-specific crop diversification options (preferably ID crops) need to be
identified and action plan drawn for adoption in endemic areas prone to water
shortages due to erratic rainfall, limited and delayed release of canal water, poor
inflows into tanks and insufficient groundwater recharge situations.
14. Lessons learnt from combating contingency experiences in the previous year faced in
different states due to continuous and excess rainfall such as the onion and vegetable
crises and pest outbreaks (e.g. brown plant hopper in rice) needs to be captured and
integrated into the contingency plans for the ensuing kharif season.
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10. 15. Medium and long term strategies are critical and essential for the sustained
implementation of district level contingency plans to tackle monsoon aberrations:
• Restoration and renovation of drains in flood prone delta areas and cyclone affected
areas
• Undertake drought proofing, rainwater harvesting works in a planned manner using
MGNREGA and IWMP funds
• Efficient use of harvested water through micro-irrigation systems
• Crop residue recycling to build organic carbon reserves to improve soil health and
water holding capacity to cope with dry spells
• River bank protection to avoid flooding and sand casting of the crop fields due to heavy
unseasonal rains
• Promotion of Agro-forestry systems for resilience in chronically drought prone areas
as they improve soil fertility and also provide fodder for the livestock
• Promotion of weather insurance to minimize risk to farmers due to monsoon
aberrations
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11. Contingent planning for rainfed crops is important when the onset of monsoon and winter
rains is delayed. Generally the SW Monsoon covers the whole country in 8 week time starting
from 1st June. Historically the monsoon behavior indicates the delays by 2 or 6 weeks across
the country and in exceptional cases by 8 weeks. Hence the template gives scope for
developing contingency strategies for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks delay in onset of monsoon for major
farming situation prevalent in the district. Even if the crop is sown under normal onset of
monsoon, the dry spells occur at different pheno-phases during the cropping season resulting
in early, mid-season and terminal droughts adversely impacting the performance of standing
crops.
11
Prologue

12. Normal Sowing for Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh
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Season Situation Crop Normal Sowing
Kharif Rainfed Maize 3rd Wk of May-3rd Wk of June
Kharif Rainfed Paddy 3rd Wk of May-3rd Wk of June
Rabi Rainfed Wheat 1st Wk of Oct-4th Wk of Dec
Rabi Rainfed Sarson 1st Wk of Oct-2nd Wk of Oct
Rabi Rainfed Barley 3rd Wk of Oct-2nd Wk of Nov
Rabi Irrigated Wheat 1st Wk of Nov-4th Wk of Dec

13. If monsoon does not set in till last week of June, the following must be amended:
Upland
1. Sowing of rice in high lands should not be done.
2. Sow non-rice crops like maize, soybean, cowpea etc. as per the command area.
3. Sow the crops in lines so that inter-culture operations become easier.
4. Sow short duration rice varieties after late setting of monsoon, preferably less than
85 days.
A. If rain ceases, after mid-July - August.
1. Not sufficient rain for beusaning.
2. Weed the crop and reduce Nitrogen Top dressing.
B. If drought occurs in mid-August – mid-September.
1. Start early Rabi Sowing.
2. Tap the water.
3. Weed the crop.
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14. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 2 Weeks
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Farming Situation Crop
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Rice (Transplanted/Direct Seeded) HRI 152 Hybrid, HPR
1068/HPR 2143/Kasturi Basmati/Hassan Serai/RP
2421/HPR 1156. In Kullu areas-Kunjan 4/Brighu
Dhan/Naggar Dhan. Direct Sown: HPR 1156/VL Dhan 221
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Bajaura Makka, Vivek 21, Girija and Early Composite
Babycorn (VL 78)
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Short duration Maize: HQPM 1, PMZ 4, Bajaura Makka, Vivek
21, Girija and Early Composite. Intercropping of oilseed &
pulses in maize: Maize + Soybean (HaritSoya/Shivalik),
Cowpea (C 475), Blackgram (UG 218/Him Mash 1)

15. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 4 Weeks
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Farming Situation Crop
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse,
Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium
deep Soils
Rice (Transplanted): 15 days old seedlings of VL Dhan 221 be
transplanted.
Rice (Direct Seeded): VL Dhan 221, RP 2421, HPR 1156, HPR 1068
Black Gram: Him Black Gram-1, UG-218.
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse,
Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium
deep Soils
Maize fodder, Maize + Legume fodder (Blackgram, Kulthi, Seasame)
Blackgram: UG 218, Pant U 19, Him Blackgram 1
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse,
Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium
deep Soils
Vegetables: Okra (P-8, Pusa Sawani, Harbhajan), Tomato
Indeterminate Var. (Solan Vajr, Solan Garima, Solan Pride and
Sindhur, Palam Pride), Chilli (Surajmukhi, CH-1).
Cucurbits: Bottle Gourd (PSPL, PSPR, Pusa Meghdoot), Cucumber
(Poinsette, KH 1, Khira 75, Khira 90), Bitter Gourd (Solan Hara,
Solan Safed)

16. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 6 Weeks
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Farming Situation Crop
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Rice (Direct Seeded), Bajra: Chari (Fodder Purpose), Kharif
Onion (N 53), Early Cauliflower (Early Kunwari, Pusa
Deepali), Radish (Japanese White, Chinese Pink, Pusa
Chetaki), Frenchbean (Contender, VL Boni, Pusa Parvati,
Araka Komal)
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Maize fodder, Maize + Legume fodder (Blackgram, Kulthi,
Seasame)
Blackgram: UG 218, Pant U 19, Him Blackgram 1
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Early Cauliflower (Early Kunwari, Pusa Deepali), Radish
(Japanese White, Chinese Pink, Pusa Chetaki, Pusa Himani),
Kharif Onion (Palam Lohit, N 53, AFLR), Fababean

17. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 8 Weeks
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Farming Situation Crop
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Rice (Direct Seeded), Toria: Bhawani, Oats Fodder (PLP
1/Kent), Early Cauliflower (Early Kunwari, Pusa Deepali),
Radish (Japanese White, Chinese Pink, Pusa Chetaki),
Frenchbean (Contender, VL Boni, Pusa Parvati, Araka
Komal).
Upland Rain-fed, Loamy,
Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep
to Medium deep Soils
Maize, Toria (Bhawani), Oats Fodder (PLP 1/Kent), Early
Cauliflower (Early Kunwari, Pusa Deepali), Radish (Japanese
White, Chinese Pink, Pusa Chetaki), Peas (Mater Ageta/Azad
Pea 1).

18. In case of Early season drought, Gap filling is suggested if the plant population is
greater than 50% otherwise re-sowing with 25% more seed rate is recommended for
Maize, Wheat & Rice (Direct Seeded). While Gap filling is recommended for
Transplanted Rice. Top dressing of Nitrogen fertilizer is suggested which should
coincide with rain splashes, if any.
In case of Terminal Drought, if crop stand is poor then the crops must be used as
fodder crop and they must immediately go for land preparation with sowing of Early
Varieties of Wheat (HPW 251).
Besides the above, awareness, sensitivity and capacity building of all stakeholders are
integral to implementation of the contingency plans and this is best done when plans
are prepared through a participatory bottom-up process. Over a time these processes
will lead to a self-reliant planning and implementation mechanism at the district
level.
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19. Conclusion
Besides the above, awareness, sensitivity and capacity building of all stakeholders
are integral to implementation of the contingency plans and this is best done when
plans are prepared through a participatory bottom-up process. Over a time these
processes will lead to a self-reliant planning and implementation mechanism at the
district level.
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20. 1. Core component of contingency crop planning includes
a. Improved Crop Genotypes b. Intensive Cropping c. Change in Crop types d. a & c
2. SW Monsoon winds contribute ___________ to the total annual rainfall in India
a. 80-90% b. 70-80% c. 75-90% d. 85-90%
3. Gap filling or re-sowing is advisable during period of
a. Early Season drought b. Mid Season drought c. Late season drought d. none
4. In case of Delayed Monsoon-arriving prior to cut off date for sowing, which is preferred
a. Contingent Crop b. Soil-Moisture Conservation Measures c. Short duration Variety
d. None
5. Moisture stress can be alleviated using foliar spray of ___________
a. K2SO4 b. KNO3 c. KCl d. b & c
6. Medium & Long term strategies for contingent plan include
a. Watersheds b. Crop-residue recycling c. Agro-forestry d. All e. None
7. Terminal drought influences
a. Harvesting b. Grain yield c. Rabi Sowing d. All
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Questions

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