Experts at East Malling Research (EMR) have created versions of the fruit which are better at coping with higher summer temperatures and less rainfall.
"This is a signal for everyone to get prepared, that if we don't get good rainfall this winter it will be a challenge next spring and summer, " warned Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman.
He said work could only be carried out during the summer because all weirs had to be fully functional during winter to manage river levels during periods of higher rainfall.
As most of India's agricultural land depends on rainfall rather than irrigation, variations in monsoon's arrival date can throw into disarray plans for sowing summer crops such as rice, sugar cane, cotton and oilseeds.