Maharashtra's Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne has raised concerns about potential fertilizer shortages due to ongoing global conflicts and the forecast of an El Nino weather pattern. During a workshop in Pune, he directed officials to take pre-emptive measures against fertilizer hoarding and explore alternatives to urea for farmers. Bharne highlighted the 'war-like situation' as a significant disruptor of urea availability and called for strict action against any fraudulent practices among distributors. The anticipated El Nino could lead to below-normal rainfall, necessitating careful crop planning for the 2026 Kharif season. He urged officials to ensure that inputs reach farmers in a timely manner, emphasizing the importance of micro-planning. The workshop included presentations from the India Meteorological Department and discussions on improving seed quality and integrating agricultural initiatives for better administration. Bharne also called for accelerated research into crop varieties that can withstand adverse weather conditions, ensuring that farmers benefit from government welfare schemes.