What is El Nino? What are the causes of El Nino? Discuss the scenario of impact of El Nino on global agriculture.
In short
El Niño is a periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific, part of ENSO, caused by weakening trade winds that suppress cold upwelling and reverse the Walker circulation. It weakens India's southwest monsoon, causing droughts in India, Southeast Asia and Australia and raising global food prices.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 247 words
Ocean-Atmosphere Dynamics
The warming reverses the Walker circulation, weakens trade winds, and reduces moisture transport to India, leading to deficient monsoon rainfall. This effect is further modulated by climatic oscillations like the Indian Ocean Dipole, complicating El Niño’s intensity and impact.
Crop Production Decline
El Niño-induced droughts reduce kharif and rabi crop yields in India and Southeast Asia, causing food grain deficits and inflation; Andhra Pradesh’s drought-prone Rayalaseema region exemplifies this impact.
Global Variability
While Argentina may experience increased maize production due to favorable conditions, Australia often faces drought and crop damage, illustrating El Niño’s uneven agricultural effects worldwide.
Adaptive Measures
Government schemes such as Soil Health Card and the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) in Andhra Pradesh promote resilient farming practices. Enhanced ecological monitoring and water conservation efforts also help mitigate adverse impacts.
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