A prolonged spell of weak monsoon during the early part of the southwest monsoon season has significantly affected the sowing of major kharif crops across India. According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, kharif crops have been sown over 531.25 lakh hectares as of July 10, 2026, compared with 632.69 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year, reflecting a 16.03 per cent decline.
Kharif sowing normally gathers pace with the arrival of the southwest monsoon in June. This year, however, a delayed and weak monsoon—linked to El Niño conditions—resulted in nearly 40 per cent below-normal rainfall during June, disrupting sowing operations in several states. Although rainfall has improved in recent weeks, the initial delay continues to be reflected in crop acreage.
Paddy Acreage Remains Behind Last Year
Paddy, India's largest kharif crop, has been sown over 114.69 lakh hectares so far, compared with 125.53 lakh hectares during the same period last year, a decline of 10.84 lakh hectares (8.64 per cent). The area remains significantly below the normal paddy acreage of about 412 lakh hectares.
Pulses Register Sharpest Decline
The total area under pulses has fallen to 56.63 lakh hectares, down 23.32 per cent from 73.85 lakh hectares a year ago.
Among major pulse crops:
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Pigeon pea (Tur): down 30.29 per cent
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Black gram (Urad): down 29.72 per cent
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Green gram (Moong): down 10.63 per cent
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Moth bean: down 28.10 per cent
Horse gram was the only pulse crop to register a marginal increase in acreage.
Coarse Cereals Down Over 22%
The total area under coarse cereals (Shree Anna) stood at 98.69 lakh hectares, compared with 127.30 lakh hectares last year, marking a 22.47 per cent decline.
Among key cereals:
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Pearl millet (Bajra): down 26.58 per cent
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Sorghum (Jowar): down 23.64 per cent
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Maize: down 19.54 per cent
Oilseed Acreage Also Shrinks
Oilseed sowing has reached 117.83 lakh hectares, down from 149.18 lakh hectares last year, a decline of 21.01 per cent.
Major oilseed crops recorded substantial reductions:
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Groundnut: down 33.99 per cent
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Sesame: down 46.03 per cent
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Castor: down 41.67 per cent
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Soybean: down 15.98 per cent
However, sunflower and niger seed registered an increase in acreage.
Cotton Falls, Sugarcane and Jute Record Growth
Among commercial crops, cotton acreage declined to 79.54 lakh hectares, compared with 93.95 lakh hectares during the same period last year, a drop of 15.34 per cent.
In contrast, sugarcane acreage increased 1.52 per cent to 57.58 lakh hectares, while jute and mesta area rose 1.95 per cent to 6.28 lakh hectares.
Rainfall Deficit Widens Again
Even as sowing picked up in several states following improved rainfall in early July, the southwest monsoon has weakened once again.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cumulative rainfall between June 1 and July 13 stood at 222.4 mm, against the normal 275.7 mm, leaving the country with a 19 per cent rainfall deficit.
The regional distribution of rainfall remains uneven:
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Northeast India: 36 per cent below normal
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South Peninsular India: 22 per cent below normal
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Northwest India: 12 per cent below normal
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Central India: 8 per cent below normal
Good rainfall in parts of the country had temporarily narrowed the rainfall deficit in recent days, but the renewed weakening of monsoon activity has widened the national shortfall again. This could affect soil moisture and further delay sowing in states that continue to receive substantially below-normal rainfall.