India’s delayed southwest monsoon has started affecting the country’s agriculture, with fresh government data showing a sharp fall in the sowing of kharif crops. Farmers in several states have postponed planting due to insufficient rainfall, raising concerns over food production if the weather does not improve soon.
According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the total area under kharif cultivation stood at 182.72 lakh hectares as of June 25. During the same period last year, farmers had sown crops over 236.46 lakh hectares. This means the country has witnessed a decline of 53.74 lakh hectares, or nearly 23 per cent, in just one year.
The drop has been linked to the weak progress of the southwest monsoon, which has left many farming regions with dry fields and inadequate soil moisture during the crucial sowing period.
Monsoon Delay Leaves Farmers Waiting
The slow arrival of the monsoon has forced thousands of farmers to delay sowing operations, especially in rain-fed agricultural regions.
Many farmers are waiting for widespread rainfall before planting seeds, fearing that crops may fail if they are sown in dry soil. India has recorded a 45 per cent rainfall deficit during June 2026, making it one of the weakest starts to the monsoon in recent years.
Agriculture experts say the next few weeks will be critical, as timely rainfall is essential for the success of the kharif season.
Paddy Cultivation Sees Major Decline
Rice, India’s most important kharif crop, has been among the worst affected by the delayed rains.
Paddy has been sown on only 25.75 lakh hectares, compared to 34.41 lakh hectares during the same period last year. This represents a decline of around 25 per cent, raising concerns about future rice production if rainfall does not improve quickly.
Since rice depends heavily on monsoon rains, delayed sowing could affect both production and harvest timelines.
Pulses Sowing Also Falls Sharply
The delayed monsoon has also impacted pulse cultivation across the country.
The area under pulses has dropped from 21.46 lakh hectares last year to 14.92 lakh hectares this season. Crops such as arhar (pigeon pea), urad and moong have recorded slower sowing as farmers continue to wait for better weather conditions.
A prolonged delay could affect pulse production and influence market prices later in the year.
Oilseed Crops Record Biggest Fall
Among all major kharif crops, oilseeds have suffered the largest decline.
The total area under oilseed cultivation has fallen from 36.41 lakh hectares to 16.99 lakh hectares, representing a drop of more than 53 per cent.
Soybean, India’s largest oilseed crop, has been hit particularly hard. The crop has been sown on just 6.92 lakh hectares, compared to 19.97 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
Groundnut cultivation has also declined significantly, increasing concerns over domestic edible oil production in the coming months.
Cotton Farmers Also Feel the Impact
Cotton cultivation has slowed considerably because of the delayed rains.
The area under cotton has reduced from 45.36 lakh hectares last year to 29.66 lakh hectares this season, reflecting a decline of nearly 35 per cent.
Many cotton-growing regions are waiting for consistent rainfall before beginning large-scale sowing operations.
Sugarcane Remains a Bright Spot
Unlike most kharif crops, sugarcane has shown a slight increase in cultivation.
The area under sugarcane has risen marginally from 56.64 lakh hectares to 57.31 lakh hectares, making it one of the few crops that has not been significantly affected by the delayed monsoon so far.
Rain Forecast Offers Hope
Weather experts expect monsoon activity to improve during the first week of July as fresh low-pressure systems are likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal.
If widespread rainfall arrives as forecast, farmers may still be able to speed up sowing and reduce the overall impact on agricultural production.
However, experts warn that if the rainfall deficit continues for a longer period, it could affect crop yields, food supplies, rural incomes and agricultural markets across the country in the coming months.
The progress of the monsoon over the next few weeks will now play a decisive role in determining the success of India’s 2026 kharif season.
