India's overall rainfall deficit narrowed to 24% in July, down from 33% in June, while the number of rain-deficient districts dropped from 262 to 178, Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan announced on Wednesday. The improvement comes after a delayed monsoon onset and concerns over El Nino's impact.
Government intensifies monitoring and preparedness
Chouhan, who oversees the Agriculture Ministry, stated that the Centre is closely monitoring the situation in 13 states: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Odisha. Weekly review meetings have been instituted to address the evolving situation.
“The government is not only monitoring the evolving situation but is fully equipped to address every challenge through well-defined processes, adequate resources, and timely interventions, ensuring that farmers receive all necessary support during the kharif season,” Chouhan told reporters.
Kharif sowing lags behind last year
Kharif sowing has been completed in 350.85 lakh hectares so far, which is approximately 91.95 lakh hectares lower than the corresponding period last year. The delayed monsoon has particularly affected soybean and cotton sowing. To mitigate the impact, farmers have been advised to cultivate short-duration and low water-intensive crops such as maize, bajra, and moong.
The government has maintained a national seed reserve of about 1.75 lakh quintals to ensure uninterrupted sowing operations. Additionally, efforts are being intensified to increase farmers' participation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, providing financial protection against crop losses due to adverse weather.
El Nino monitoring and future outlook
Chouhan expressed confidence that rainfall would gain further momentum in July, accelerating kharif sowing. The El Nino monitoring cell, crop weather watch group, state-level control rooms, and designated officers are continuously tracking monsoon progress, crop conditions, and market trends.
July is the main sowing window for kharif crops like paddy, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton. Studies over India's core monsoon zone show that when rain fails, soil dries out first, stressing crops and heating the land further, with reservoirs and groundwater following.
