The District Agriculture Contingency Plan (DACP) is a concept formalized as a technical document and policy planner for managing weather-related risks in India's agriculture and allied sectors. Its origin lies in the need to address the substantial economic losses inflicted by extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heat waves, which were not adequately covered by generic, state- or agro-climatic zone-level plans. The preparation of these plans was suggested by the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Agriculture, and the responsibility was taken up by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at the request of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture.
The DACP was developed by ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) for approximately 650 rural districts of the country. The mechanism involves a two-part document: the first details the district's agricultural profile, including rainfall, soil types, and cropping systems; the second provides detailed strategies for specific weather contingencies. These strategies prescribe technological solutions for crops, horticulture, livestock, poultry, and fisheries, such as alternative short-duration or drought-tolerant crop varieties, and water management techniques for situations like delayed monsoon or mid-season breaks.
The DACP connects directly to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare (MoA&FW) and the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), including State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), which are involved in its preparation and implementation. Recently, the focus has shifted to the operationalization of these plans, with the government emphasizing that they must be translated into actionable field plans rather than remaining administrative documents. For instance, in June 2026, the government activated the plans for 315 vulnerable districts to prepare for potential El Niño-related rainfall deficits, demonstrating a proactive approach to real-time implementation.