Kharif Sowing Drops 23% as Delayed Monsoon Prompts Centre to Advise Farmers to Wait

India’s kharif sowing has witnessed a sharp slowdown this season, with the total area under cultivation declining by nearly 23 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. The drop comes amid a delayed and deficient southwest monsoon, prompting the Centre to advise farmers in rain-fed regions to postpone sowing until adequate rainfall is received.

According to the latest government data, kharif crops have been sown across about 182.72 lakh hectares, significantly lower than the 236.46 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year. Agricultural officials attributed the decline to below-normal rainfall, which has left soil moisture levels inadequate for planting in several parts of the country.

The government has urged farmers to wait until their fields receive at least 75 to 100 millimetres of rainfall before beginning sowing operations. Officials believe that delaying planting until sufficient moisture is available will improve seed germination and reduce the risk of crop failure if dry conditions persist. Several major kharif crops, including paddy, soybean, maize and cotton, have recorded lower acreage due to the slow progress of the monsoon. Sugarcane, however, has emerged as an exception, registering a slight increase in the area under cultivation compared with last year.

Agricultural experts have expressed concern that prolonged rainfall deficits and high temperatures could affect crop production if weather conditions do not improve soon. Falling reservoir levels in several states have also raised concerns over the availability of irrigation water during the crucial early stages of crop growth.

Despite the delayed start, experts note that the sowing season is still underway and that timely rainfall in the coming weeks could help farmers make up much of the lost ground. The first half of July is expected to be critical for determining the overall progress of the kharif season. The Centre and state governments are closely monitoring weather patterns and agricultural conditions while advising farmers to follow local advisories.