Kharif Sowing Lags Behind Due to Uneven Rainfall Distribution

The monsoon progress has improved in the country lately. There were concerns about the fate of Kharif sowing a month back. Sowing however continues lagging behind mainly because of the uneven distribution of the rainfall in some of the major producing regions.

Monsoon Scenario across India:

After slogging from June-end to mid-July, the southwest monsoon accelerated to narrow the deficit in long period average (LPA) of rainfall from 7 per cent as on July 12, to 6 per cent as on August 13. The India Meteorological Department now expects that the monsoons may remain normal for the rest of the season.

This however, fails to eliminate the concerns persisting regarding the Kharif planting situation, because of uneven distribution of the rainfall. Latest government data indicates that the farmers have so far planted crops in 997 lakh hectare till August 13, slightly slower than 1,015.15 lakh hectare recorded during last year’s corresponding period.

Progress of the monsoons nearly halted across central India, in June thereby causing a three week delay in rainfall during a crucial sowing season. According to the India Meteorological Department, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Maharashtra, interior Karnataka and Telangana had received excess rainfall in the last week of July, bringing their cumulative rainfall for the season up to normal. But the state of Gujarat, received insufficient rainfall along with eastern part of Rajasthan. The IMD has projected rainfall activity in coming days in regions of MP/Rajasthan/coastal AP & parts of Bihar. 

The monsoon has revived in the state of Rajasthan on Thursday after a gap of nine days with several places in Udaipur and Kota divisions witnessing mild to moderate showers. But less rainfall activity is expected till August 22 in other divisions and districts, as dry and humid conditions prevailed in these regions. As per the Jaipur Meteorological department, mild showers were witnessed in Udaipur, Banswara, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar and Baran in the last two days.