Kharif Crop Acreage Lags Behind Last Year Due to Rainfall Deficit

16-Jun-2026 01:57 PM

New Delhi: The delayed arrival and slow progression of the southwest monsoon resulted in a significant rainfall deficit across most parts of the country up to June 15, impacting Kharif crop sowing.

Data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture indicates that the total area under Kharif crops nationwide reached only 84.60 lakh hectares by June 12, which is 3.44 lakh hectares less than the 88.04 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year. The pace of the monsoon remains sluggish.

According to official figures, while the area under paddy cultivation rose from 3.88 lakh hectares to 4.98 lakh hectares compared to last year, the sowing area for pulses dropped from 2.73 lakh hectares to 1.55 lakh hectares.

Similarly, the acreage for coarse cereals improved from 4.32 lakh hectares to 4.77 lakh hectares, whereas the area under oilseeds slipped from 3.54 lakh hectares to 3.51 lakh hectares. The area under cotton cultivation fell from 13.19 lakh hectares last year to 9.53 lakh hectares, and sugarcane acreage declined from 54.29 lakh hectares to 54.08 lakh hectares.

Among pulses, the sowing of Arhar (Tur), Urad, and Moong is lagging behind last year's figures, while the area under Jowar and Maize is also trailing among coarse cereals. In the oilseeds category, groundnut acreage increased from 2.27 lakh hectares to 2.57 lakh hectares, but the area under soybean, sesame, and sunflower declined.

The area under maize cultivation fell from 2.59 lakh hectares to 2.28 lakh hectares, and the sowing area for Jowar dropped from 80,000 hectares to 73,000 hectares. Sowing of moong (green gram) is lagging behind last year's figures by 85,000 hectares.

Kharif crop cultivation is currently in its initial phase, and farmers are facing difficulties in accelerating the sowing pace due to a lack of rainfall and high temperatures. All eyes are fixed on the monsoon.