Threat to Pulse and Oilseed Cultivation Due to Low and Uneven Rainfall

22-Jun-2026 12:39 PM

New Delhi: Due to the adverse effects of El Niño, the southwest monsoon is expected to remain weak this year. As a result, not only may the total rainfall during the four-month period from June to September be lower than normal at the national level, but its distribution may also be uneven. This could particularly affect the sowing and average yields of kharif pulse and oilseed crops.

Although high market prices have encouraged Indian farmers to increase the cultivation area of important oilseed crops such as soybean, groundnut, sesame, sunflower, and castor, there is uncertainty about whether they will receive sufficient support from the monsoon rains.

Among pulse crops, the main kharif-season varieties include pigeon pea (tur/arhar), urad, and moong, while crops such as moth bean, horse gram, and khesari are grown on a limited scale. The area under pulse and oilseed cultivation is currently lagging behind last year because major producing states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Telangana have so far experienced a shortage of monsoon rainfall.

The weather department has forecast increased monsoon activity and good rainfall in many states in the coming days. This is expected to accelerate the sowing of pulse and oilseed crops along with other agricultural crops. Although sowing has been somewhat delayed, a significant part of the shortfall in cultivated area could be recovered if favorable rainfall occurs in the coming weeks.

The central government has once again substantially increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops such as tur, urad, soybean, groundnut, sunflower, and sesame. This provides farmers with a strong incentive to expand cultivation and boost production. However, the success of these efforts will largely depend on favorable monsoon conditions.