Concerns Over Significant Impact of Weak Monsoon on the Agricultural Sector

New Delhi. During the four-month duration of the southwest monsoon, the country received 12.6 percent less rainfall compared to the Long Period Average (LPA); when data up to October 15 is included, this rainfall deficit rises to 15 percent. According to the India Meteorological Department, the southwest monsoon withdrew from the entire country by October 15.

Following the withdrawal of the monsoon, rainfall has largely ceased across most parts of the country, even though late-sown Kharif crops still require moisture. There are concerns that the sowing of Rabi (winter) crops could be adversely affected due to this lack of rain—a trend already becoming apparent. The sowing of Rabi crops has had a slow start; cultivation of several crops, including wheat, has yet to even begin. Furthermore, the sowing of mustard—a crop currently seeing record-high wholesale market prices and expected to see a significant expansion in its cultivation area—is lagging well behind last year’s pace.

Since Kharif crops are heavily dependent on monsoon rains, a rainfall deficit inevitably has an adverse impact on them. The uneven distribution of rainfall during the monsoon season severely hindered crop development in many regions, raising concerns about a sharp decline in both average yields and total production.

According to an industry organization, at least 700,000 hectares of soybean crops across the country have been so severely damaged during this year’s Kharif season that they cannot be harvested. Similarly, in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the pigeon pea (tur) crop is being devastated by drought. While there is a possibility of rain in South India and the eastern states, it has come too late for the Kharif crops.