Archive · 3 Aug 2026
India's Kharif Sowing Lags Despite Monsoon Revival, Last Year
In India, farmers started planting their summer crops a bit later than last year.
By the end of July, they had planted 89.4 million hectares, which is 2.65 million hectares less than the 92 million planted a year before.
The rain in July was a little better than usual, which helped a bit, but some crops like rice and pulses were still planted on less land than last year.
On the bright side, crops like oilseeds and sugarcane were planted on more land.
Experts say that if the rain stays good, the missing land for rice, maize, and moongbean might catch up before the planting season ends.
As of July 31, 2024, 89.4 million hectares were sown, 2.65 million less than the 92 million sown a year earlier.
Rice, pulses, coarse cereals, and cotton acreage fell below last year’s levels, while oilseeds and sugarcane increased.
Monsoon rainfall in July was 1% above normal, helping narrow the sowing gap after a 35% deficit in June.
Key states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha lagged in sowing, whereas Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar saw higher acreage.
Experts say favourable rainfall could bring rice, maize, and moongbean acreage back up before the sowing window closes.
- Who
- Farmers and the agriculture ministry
- What
- Kharif crop sowing lagging behind last year
- When
- As of July 31, 2024
- Where
- India, covering 89.4 million hectares
- Why
- Monsoon improvement insufficient to match last year's sowing levels
- Total Kharif Sowing (as of July 31, 2024)
- 89.4 million hectares
- Sowing Gap vs. Last Year
- 2.65 million hectares
- Monsoon Rainfall July
- 1% above normal
- Key Crops Down
- Rice, pulses, coarse cereals, cotton
- Key Crops Up
- Oilseeds, sugarcane