Centre Expects Kharif Sowing to Pick Up as Monsoon Revives

India’s kharif sowing is expected to gain momentum as the southwest monsoon revives across several parts of the country. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that farmers still have sufficient time to expand the area under major kharif crops, as the sowing window for many crops remains open until 15 August.

The statement comes after a delayed and uneven monsoon slowed planting during the early part of the season. While acreage under several crops initially lagged behind last year’s levels, improved rainfall in recent days is expected to accelerate field operations in many states.

According to the Agriculture Minister, the current shortfall in kharif acreage is likely to narrow as rainfall improves. Crops such as paddy, pulses and oilseeds can still be planted in many regions where moisture conditions have become favourable.

Agricultural officials believe the coming weeks will be crucial for determining the final area under cultivation this season.

Erratic rainfall during the initial weeks of the monsoon affected sowing in many parts of the country. Paddy, pulses, millets and oilseeds recorded lower acreage compared with the same period last year as farmers waited for adequate soil moisture.

Experts say timely rainfall during the second half of July could help recover part of the deficit.

Monsoon Revival Brings Fresh Hope

Weather forecasts indicate that monsoon activity is strengthening again across several regions from 21 July, improving conditions for sowing and early crop growth. Better rainfall is expected to benefit rainfed farming areas that had experienced prolonged dry spells.

Farmers are expected to speed up field preparation and planting as soil moisture improves.

The Centre has been reviewing rainfall, sowing progress and crop conditions regularly. Officials are also advising farmers to adopt suitable crop choices and local advisories depending on rainfall patterns and regional conditions.

Agricultural departments continue to monitor district-level conditions to support farmers during the remainder of the kharif season.

The coming weeks will determine whether the current sowing gap can be narrowed before the planting window closes. If rainfall remains favourable, farmers are expected to increase the area under major kharif crops and improve prospects for the 2026 harvest.