Surplus Rainfall Minimizes Kharif Damage, Boosts Rabi Outlook

24-Oct-2025 05:59 PM

New Delhi. A leading rating agency says that surplus rainfall during the southwest monsoon season has partially damaged Kharif crops, but there is no cause for concern for the Rabi season.

The decline in Kharif crop production can be largely offset by improved Rabi crop production. The month of October is crucial because Kharif crops standing in the fields are ready for harvesting.

Rainfall has stopped in the northern and northwestern states, but sufficient moisture remains in the soil. This will greatly assist farmers in sowing Rabi crops.

The rating agency states that in states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Telangana, heavy monsoon rains, waterlogging, and severe floods have damaged paddy, pulses, and oilseed crops, but overall, the damage at the national level has been minimal, and therefore, a significant decline in production is not expected.

If the weather remains good and no natural disasters occur, the condition of Kharif crops may return to normal. Everyone's attention is now focused on the Rabi season.

Dams and reservoirs have abundant water reserves, ensuring no difficulties in irrigating Rabi crops. However, surplus rainfall during the monsoon season affected crops in 10 states. These states contain approximately 58 percent of the country's cultivable land.

Compared to the normal average, the country received 27 percent more rainfall by mid-October. However, Punjab received 478 percent more rainfall, Haryana 390 percent more, Rajasthan 371 percent more, Bihar 190 percent more,

Uttar Pradesh 90 percent more, Gujarat 75 percent more, West Bengal 56 percent more, Odisha 49 percent more, and Madhya Pradesh 32 percent more.