Zainab Farooq Mir
“Rainfall that comes in a few heavy spells may not benefit agriculture in the same way as well-distributed rainfall does.”
For a farmer, the arrival and departure of the monsoon are more than changes in weather. They influence almost every decision made in the field, from sowing and irrigation to harvesting and preparing for the next crop. But in recent years, this familiar rhythm of farming has become less predictable.
As the 2026 southwest monsoon moves towards its withdrawal phase, the question is not only how much rainfall we have received. What matters equally is when the rain came, where it was received and how much of that water is still available to the crop and soil. Rainfall that comes in a few heavy spells may not benefit agriculture in the same way as well-distributed rainfall does. Much of the water can be lost through runoff, while a long dry spell afterwards may leave crops facing moisture stress.
This makes the period between the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the next cropping season especially important for farmers.
Making Every Drop Count
Soil moisture is one of the most valuable resources on a farm, particularly where irrigation facilities are limited. Farmers can make better use of rainfall by adopting simple moisture conservation practices such as retaining crop residues, mulching, suitable tillage practices, field bunding and appropriate land configuration.
Such practices help reduce unnecessary water loss and allow more moisture to remain available in the root zone. ICAR has also emphasised soil and water conservation as important components of climate-resilient farming. In simple terms, rainwater is useful only when we are able to retain and use a reasonable share of it in the field.
Planning the Next Crop in Advance
The changing weather pattern also calls for better planning of the crop that follows. Farmers need to consider the expected sowing period, crop duration, water requirement and the suitability of varieties for local conditions.
Diversifying crops can also help reduce the risk associated with depending heavily on one crop or one particular weather window. Climate-resilient farming does not necessarily mean adopting expensive technologies. In many situations, better crop planning, efficient use of water, appropriate varieties, healthy soils and access to timely weather information can make a significant difference.
What This Means for Kashmir
This changing weather pattern matters even more in Jammu and Kashmir, where farmers are now busy harvesting crops such as paddy and apple. At this stage of the season, even a small change in weather can affect when and how farm work is carried out.
For farmers in Kashmir, having timely and reliable weather information can be very useful. Knowing whether rain or dry weather is likely in the coming days can help them decide when to harvest, irrigate, spray or simply wait for better conditions.
At the same time, farmers will need to pay greater attention to conserving the moisture already present in their fields and using irrigation water carefully. As weather patterns become less predictable, relying only on traditional crop calendars may no longer be enough.
Farmers may increasingly need to plan their field activities according to the weather conditions of the season. For a farmer, a weather advisory becomes useful when it helps answer practical questions like: Should I harvest today? Should I irrigate? Should I spray? Or should I wait?
Reliable and timely weather information can therefore become an important part of everyday farm management.
Getting Ready for What Comes Next
Agriculture has always involved uncertainty, but changing weather conditions are making preparedness more important than ever. Farmers cannot control when every rain shower will arrive or how long a dry spell will last. They can, however, improve the way they prepare for these possibilities.
Soil testing, appropriate variety selection, moisture conservation, efficient irrigation, crop diversification and regular use of reliable agrometeorological advisories are some of the practical steps that can help.
Modern tools such as soil moisture sensors and other digital technologies can further support farmers, but technology should complement rather than replace local farming knowledge. Scientific information becomes meaningful only when it reaches the farmer at the right time and in a form that is easy to understand and act upon.
The changing monsoon is a reminder that agriculture cannot remain tied to a fixed calendar alone. We need to pay closer attention to the weather, the soil and the needs of each crop.
The monsoon may be drawing to a close, but for farmers, the work of preparing for the next season has already begun.
“The changing monsoon is a reminder that agriculture cannot remain tied to a fixed calendar alone. We need to pay closer attention to the weather, the soil and the needs of each crop.”
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