The weakest monsoon since 2015 has heightened the risks facing farmers in the Rabi 2026-27 season, prompting CropLife India to issue a four-point advisory aimed at protecting yields, controlling input costs and preventing avoidable crop losses.
The advisory focuses on four critical stages — seed treatment, sowing, field scouting and input sourcing — urging farmers to adopt targeted crop protection measures rather than routine applications, particularly as uneven soil moisture could influence crop establishment, pest pressure and the effectiveness of farm inputs.
CropLife India, whose member companies account for about 70% of the Indian crop protection market, said timely and judicious decisions would be crucial in a season marked by challenging weather conditions. The association works with farmers, state agricultural universities and the government on product stewardship and the responsible use of crop protection products.
Seed treatment, targeted sowing take centre stage
The first recommendation centres on seed treatment before sowing, described as a cost-effective safeguard against seed- and soil-borne diseases. These include smut in wheat, which is aggravated by cool, moist conditions, and wilt and dry root rot in chickpea, which are associated with moisture stress and heat.
For sowing, CropLife India recommends termite treatment only in fields with a history of infestation and where soil moisture is adequate for the treatment to work effectively. It also points to the timing of mustard sowing, noting that crops sown in the second fortnight of October, where moisture conditions permit, face lower aphid pressure at flowering.
The third recommendation calls for regular field scouting to guide crop protection decisions, instead of applying pesticides according to a fixed calendar. In wheat, for instance, aphid control is warranted only when populations exceed 10-15 aphids per tiller.
Farmers encountering unusual pest or disease outbreaks can report them through the National Pest Surveillance System or seek assistance from the nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).
The fourth point focuses on input quality and safety. Farmers are advised to buy crop protection products only from authorised dealers, insist on a proper bill and check expiry dates before use.
Warning over illicit crop protection products
CropLife India has also warned that a difficult agricultural season could increase the risk of illicit crop protection products entering the market. The association reiterated its call for stronger enforcement against unauthorised trade, including explicit regulation of online sales backed by licence verification and product traceability.
“The weakest monsoon in over a decade has altered the starting conditions for Rabi. Uneven soil moisture influences how crops establish, how pests and diseases behave, and how effectively inputs perform, which means the decisions farmers take in the coming weeks will shape the entire season.
"Farmers should reach out to the nearest agricultural research stations, KVKs or agriculture department officials for any support or guidance. This advisory is intended to help them make each of those decisions count, protecting the crop at its most cost-effective stage, applying products judiciously, safely and sourcing only genuine inputs. In a season such as this, precision is what safeguards both the harvest and the farmer’s investment,” said Durgesh Chandra, Secretary-General, CropLife India.
Deficient rainfall adds to seasonal uncertainty
According to the India Meteorological Department, the southwest monsoon ended at 87% of its long-period average, with rainfall in southern and eastern India at 76% and 74%, respectively.
The rainfall deficit adds to the uncertainty surrounding crop establishment and pest and disease management as farmers prepare for the winter cropping season. The impact, however, is unlikely to be uniform, with conditions varying across regions and fields depending on residual soil moisture.
The Centre's revised minimum support prices for Rabi crops provide a parallel policy signal, with the sharpest increases directed towards oilseeds and pulses. Safflower MSP has been raised by Rs 675 per quintal, followed by rapeseed and mustard at Rs 413 and lentil at Rs 390. The increases for barley, gram and wheat stand at Rs 136, Rs 83 and Rs 25 per quintal, respectively.
The steeper increases for oilseeds and lentil reflect the government's emphasis on crop diversification.
The Centre has also flagged the possibility of El Niño bringing excess soil moisture to some rainfed areas while prolonging moisture stress in others. Such contrasting conditions could complicate crop management and reinforce the need for field-specific decisions.
Against this backdrop, CropLife India's message is clear: timely seed protection, need-based pest control and verified agricultural inputs will be critical to managing risk in Rabi 2026-27 without adding unnecessary costs to farmers.
