India's Kharif Crop Sowing Drops 21% as Monsoon Shortfall Hits Farms

India’s kharif sowing season is lagging sharply behind last year. Total kharif acreage fell 21% to 350.85 L ha, down from 442.8 L ha in the previous year. Paddy (rice) area declined 13% to 60.24 L ha, while oilseeds, cotton and pulses also saw reduced plantings.

A monsoon rainfall deficit of about 38% below normal has left 52% of the country rainfall‑deficient, with central India experiencing the largest shortfall (45%). The shortfall has limited soil moisture and kept live reservoir storage at just 26% of capacity, as low as 19.4% in eastern states. Officials expect a shift in the monsoon trough that could bring additional rain, improve reservoir inflows, and accelerate sowing in the second half of July.