India, May 29 -- The Centre is fully prepared to mitigate any adverse impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon on this year's Kharif crop, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday, as he called for integrated farming and greater self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds.

"Rather than worrying, preparation is required. Contingency plans will be made for affected districts and crop changes will be considered wherever necessary," Chouhan told reporters on the sidelines of the two-day National Kharif Conference.

The Ministry is in the process of identifying districts for alternative crops and ensuring seed availability in the event of an El Nino impact, he said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had, in its firs...