El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon characterised by the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. It is part of a larger climate cycle called the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which has three phases:

• El Niño – Warmer-than-normal Pacific Ocean temperatures.
• La Niña – Cooler-than-normal Pacific Ocean temperatures.
• Neutral – Neither El Niño nor La Niña conditions prevail.

El Niño events typically occur every 2–7 years and last for about 9–12 months, although some events may continue for more than a year.

During El Niño, unusually warm waters in the central and eastern Pacific weakens the trade winds and shifts the rising branch of atmospheric circulation (Walker Circulation) eastward over the Pacific. As a result:

• Moisture transport towards India decreases.
• The southwest monsoon becomes weaker or erratic.
• Occurrence of longer dry spells and uneven rainfall distribution.
• Increased risk of drought and moisture stress.
• Higher temperatures and frequent heat waves.
• Increased evapotranspiration and irrigation demand.
• Reduced reservoir storage and groundwater recharge.
• Water scarcity during the rabi season.

El Niño affects agriculture differently across India because its influence on monsoon rainfall varies from region to region. Areas dependent on rainfed farming, especially central, western and northwestern India, are generally more vulnerable to delayed rainfall, prolonged dry spells and reduced crop productivity, while the intensity of impacts differs with local climate and cropping systems.

1. Northwest India (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, W. UP)

• Reduced monsoon rainfall and delayed onset
• Rice, cotton, bajra and maize affected
• Increased dependence on groundwater irrigation.

2. Central India (MP, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha)

• Highly affected rainfed region
• Delayed sowing of soybean, cotton and maize
• Moisture stress reduces crop yields.

3. Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat)

• Lower reservoir storage after irrigation
• Reduced yields of cotton, soybean and groundnut
• Sugarcane faces moisture stress and lower productivity.

4. Southern Peninsular India (Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala)

• Rainfall deficit and higher irrigation demand
• Reduced productivity in maize, pulses, paddy, cotton and spices.
• Lower fodder availability for animals in rabi season.

5. Eastern India (Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal)

• Delayed rice transplantation
• Reduced tillering and grain filling
• Uneven rainfall and drought stress.

6. Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya and other NE states)

• Altered rainfall distribution
• Lower productivity of rice, tea and horticultural crops
• Reduced river flow for irrigation

During El Niño years, when rainfall is erratic and water becomes scarce, the Multiplex Yuktix Gida Bits Smart Sensor helps farmers make better irrigation and crop management decisions using real-time field data.

• Monitors real-time soil moisture to know exactly when irrigation is needed.
• Provides crop-specific irrigation advisories based on soil moisture, crop stage, weather forecast and evapotranspiration.
• Saves irrigation water by avoiding over- and under-irrigation.
• Improves crop yield by maintaining optimum soil moisture during critical growth stages.
• Sends weather-based alerts to help farmers plan irrigation and field operations.
• Provides mobile alerts (App & SMS) in local languages for timely decisions.
• Works continuously in the field with a solar-powered, wireless, IP67 waterproof design.
• Monitors soil temperature, air temperature and humidity, helping farmers better manage crops under heat and moisture stress.
• Supports climate-smart farming, enabling efficient water use and improved resilience during drought and delayed monsoons.