Sowing of Kharif crops accelerates with the arrival of monsoon in new areas
23-Jun-2025 06:46 PM

New Delhi. The southwest monsoon is now progressing at a good pace, bringing much-awaited rainfall to many states. If this trend continues, it is expected that the monsoon will cover the entire country by 30 June.
However, this does not guarantee uniform rainfall across regions. For heavy and consistent rains, especially crucial for agriculture, one will likely have to wait until July. After remaining stagnant for about two weeks, the monsoon has now gained momentum.
According to the Meteorological Department, by last week the monsoon had become active in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
During the current week, it is expected to reach Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. Traditionally, the monsoon reaches western Rajasthan by early July and then covers the entire country, but this year it has already arrived in several districts of Rajasthan. At present, its northern limit is extended up to Jaipur.
Monsoon rainfall is vital for Kharif crops. Farmers begin sowing as soon as they receive the first showers, marking the start of the Kharif season.
In major agricultural states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Telangana, Marathwada, Gujarat, and Karnataka, crops such as paddy, tur, urad, moong, maize, jowar, bajra, ragi, soybean, groundnut, sesame, and cotton are sown in large areas during this season.
The monsoon had become active in the southern states, Maharashtra, Goa, and Northeast India as early as May, and after a brief pause, it resumed activity from 16 June, now extending its rainfall to more regions.
While overall monsoon rainfall for June has nearly reached the national average, some areas continue to face rainfall deficits, which is hampering the sowing pace of Kharif crops in those regions.