Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Improved Indian Monsoon Eases Risks to Kharif Crop
India’s rainy season started poorly but has improved.
The amount of missing rain became much smaller by August 19.
Farmers have also planted more Kharif crops than they had earlier in the season.
Rice and maize planting are still somewhat below last year’s levels.
Planting of pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton is nearly back to normal.
Water stored in many reservoirs is helping farmers manage the rainfall shortage.
Bihar and parts of southern India still need close watching.
The report says the better monsoon could reduce crop and food-price problems.
India’s cumulative rainfall deficit narrowed to 12.6% by August 19 from 35% in June.
Total Kharif sowing was 2% below last year by August 14, improving from a 21% shortfall in late June.
Rice acreage remained 3.7% lower and maize acreage 4% lower than last year.
Pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton acreage was within about 1% of year-ago levels.
Macquarie said adequate reservoir storage and improving rainfall have reduced risks to Kharif output and food inflation.
- Who
- Indian farmers and the Macquarie brokerage report are central to the assessment.
- What
- India’s improving monsoon and recovering Kharif sowing have reduced concerns about widespread crop disruption.
- When
- The report cited rainfall data through August 19 and sowing data through August 14, comparing them with June levels and last year.
- Where
- India, with particular attention to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and parts of southern India.
- Why
- Improved rainfall, limited sowing shortfalls and adequate reservoir storage are reducing risks to Kharif output and food inflation.
- Rainfall deficit
- 12.6% as of August 19, down from 35% in June.
- Total Kharif sowing
- 2% below last year as of August 14, compared with a 21% shortfall in late June.
- Rice acreage
- 3.7% below last year.
- Maize acreage
- 4% below last year.
- Near-normal crops
- Pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton acreage was within about 1% of year-ago levels.
- Reservoir storage
- At or above the 10-year average in Maharashtra and Gujarat; around 80-100% of average in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.
- Areas requiring monitoring
- Bihar and parts of southern India.