Kharif Sowing Increases by Over 11% as Monsoon Intensifies, Positive Outlook for Agriculture
Kharif sowing in India has seen a significant boost this year, with an 11.3% year-on-year increase as of the end of June, according to a report from ICICI Bank. This surge is primarily driven by substantial increases in rice and pulses acreage, which bodes well for food inflation in the coming months. The report highlights a remarkable 47.3% rise in rice sowing and a 37.2% increase in pulses compared to the same period last year, indicating a positive outlook for the agricultural sector.
Monsoon Impact on Sowing
The uptick in Kharif sowing has been supported by favorable weather conditions, particularly the southwest monsoon, which gained strength in late June. ICICI Bank reported that rainfall during June reached 109% of the Long Period Average (LPA), slightly surpassing the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of 108%. This rainfall figure is also an improvement compared to last year’s 108% of LPA. Key agricultural states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal experienced above-normal rainfall, contributing to the increase in sowing. However, states like Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh faced deficient rainfall, which could impact their agricultural output.
Regional analysis reveals that Northwest India recorded the highest surplus rainfall at 42% above LPA, followed by Central India at 25%. In contrast, South India experienced a slight deficit of 3% below LPA, while East and Northeast India saw a 17% shortfall. The distribution of rainfall has improved significantly this year, with only 10 out of 36 meteorological subdivisions reporting deficient rainfall as of June 30, compared to 16 subdivisions at the same time last year. The IMD forecasts favorable rainfall conditions for July, predicting precipitation at 106% of LPA, which is expected to further bolster Kharif sowing.
Improvement in Acreage and Reservoir Levels
In addition to rice and pulses, there has been a broad improvement in acreage for other crops, including urad and moong within the pulses category, as well as oilseeds like soybean and groundnut. However, sowing for cotton and jute & mesta has declined by 8.9% and 2.7%, respectively. The overall agricultural landscape is further supported by significant improvements in reservoir levels. As of June 26, storage across 161 reservoirs was at 36% of total capacity, a notable increase from just 20% during the same period last year. The southern region leads with 45% of reservoir capacity filled, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural activities.
This increase in reservoir levels is vital for irrigation and crop growth, especially during the Kharif season, which relies heavily on monsoon rains. The improved water storage capacity is expected to provide farmers with better access to irrigation, thereby enhancing crop yields and contributing to food security.
Record Procurement and Export Achievements
In a remarkable development, Assam has achieved record procurement of paddy during this Kharif Marketing Season, collecting nearly 7 lakh metric tonnes, the highest ever recorded. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed pride in this achievement, emphasizing the government’s commitment to connecting farmers with markets and ensuring they receive the Minimum Support Price (MSP) they deserve. This procurement success reflects the state’s effective agricultural policies and support for local farmers.
Additionally, Assam’s Majuli district has made headlines by exporting 267 metric tonnes of organic red bao rice to markets in the Middle East and Europe. This export not only showcases the quality of Assam’s agricultural products but also highlights the potential for growth in international markets. With favorable rainfall, improved sowing conditions, and rising exports, India’s agricultural outlook for the Kharif season appears optimistic, laying a strong foundation for food supply stability and inflation control in the months ahead.
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