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India’s Kharif Sowing Nearly Recovers, But Key Crops Lag
Kharif crops are crops planted during India’s rainy season.
By 11 September, farmers had planted almost as much land as they did last year.
However, the total number hides problems with some important crops.
Rice, cotton, sugarcane and some oilseeds were planted on less land.
Pulses, such as crops used for food, were planted on more land.
Rainfall was 15% below normal during the main monsoon period.
Different regions received different amounts of rain.
Dry spells could hurt crops while they are growing.
Experts therefore described the planting situation as mixed rather than completely good or bad.
Farmers had planted 109.6 million hectares of kharif crops by 11 September, 1.6 million hectares below the year-earlier level.
Rice acreage fell by 1.7 million hectares to 42.6 million hectares compared with the same period last year.
Pulses gained 167,000 hectares, reaching 11.8 million hectares, with increases across several states.
Cotton, sugarcane and oilseed acreage remained below or roughly level with last year’s figures.
India received 15% less rainfall than normal from 1 June to 13 September, with regional variation and prolonged dry spells raising crop concerns.
- Who
- Indian farmers, with conditions assessed using agriculture ministry and India Meteorological Department data.
- What
- Kharif sowing reached 109.6 million hectares, but several important crops remained below last year’s acreage.
- Where
- India, with significant differences among states and regions.
- When
- The sowing figures were reported as of 11 September; rainfall data covered 1 June to 13 September.
- Why
- Farmers’ planting decisions and crop prospects were affected by uneven rainfall, dry spells, soil moisture, crop economics and local agro-climatic conditions.
Signs of Recovery
Risks for Key Crops
Overall sowing
Signs of Recovery
Total kharif acreage has nearly caught up with last year and is close to the ministry’s normal benchmark.
Risks for Key Crops
The headline total masks declines in crops important for food, edible oil and fibre supplies.
Crop mix
Signs of Recovery
Higher pulse acreage and marginal gains in coarse cereals provide support to the overall sowing picture.
Risks for Key Crops
Rice, oilseeds, cotton and sugarcane acreage remains below or slightly below last year’s levels.
Weather outlook
Signs of Recovery
Regional gains in sowing show that farmers in several states continued planting despite uneven conditions.
Risks for Key Crops
A 15% rainfall deficit and prolonged dry spells could affect crops during critical growth stages.
Key facts
- Total kharif area
- 109.6 million hectares as of 11 September
- Year-on-year gap
- 1.6 million hectares below the year-earlier area
- Normal benchmark
- 110.4 million hectares
- Rice acreage
- 42.6 million hectares, down 1.7 million hectares year on year
- Pulse acreage
- 11.8 million hectares, up 167,000 hectares year on year
- Rainfall
- 15% below normal from 1 June to 13 September
- Cotton acreage
- 10.9 million hectares, compared with 11.0 million hectares a year earlier
- Sugarcane acreage
- 5.84 million hectares, compared with 5.88 million hectares a year earlier
Quotes
Uday Raj Anand
Chief executive of the domestic business of agrochemical company Parijat Industries
“The latest kharif sowing figures present a mixed picture for Indian agriculture. While the total sown area is marginally lower than last year, the real story lies in the regional variations, where rainfall patterns, soil moisture, crop economics and local agro-climatic conditions continue to shape farmers’ sowing decisions,”
livemint.com
Sources
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