New Delhi: The government has asked states to prioritise pulses and oilseeds during the kharif sowing season as India prepares for below-normal rainfall and possible disruptions in fertiliser supplies.The Centre has directed states to ensure timely lifting and distribution of seeds to farmers while focusing on improving productivity of both crop groups to safeguard domestic supplies and reduce import dependence.Officials said pulses could become a preferred crop in some regions as legumes require relatively lower nutrient application. Fertiliser supply chains have come under pressure due to the West Asia crisis. Among oilseeds, soybean is being seen as a relatively sturdy kharif crop in a year when El Nino-related risks are expected to weigh on monsoon rainfall.At the National Kharif Campaign 2026 Conclave, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre was holding discussions with state governments on improving seed availability, increasing seed replacement rates, expanding demonstration programmes and strengthening processing infrastructure for pulses and oilseeds.The discussions are part of the government's broader kharif strategy, aimed at aligning national and state-level farm priorities ahead of the main sowing season.India is expecting a below-normal southwest monsoon after the India Meteorological Department projected rainfall at around 90% of the long-period average. The weather office has also warned that El Nino conditions could emerge during the four-month monsoon season, which drives planting of key crops such as paddy, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton across the country.