Kharif sowing trails last year’s pace despite rainfall revival in early July

Kharif sowing in India as of July 10 stood at 350.85 lakh hectares, 16% lower year-on-year, narrowing from a 21% deficit a week earlier.

Pulses acreage fell 23.3%, oilseeds down 21%, coarse cereals down 22.5%, and cotton down 15.3% compared to last year.

Rice acreage reached 4.8 million hectares, still 8.6% below last year but 17.3% above normal area due to improved rainfall in eastern India.

The India Meteorological Department forecast subdued rainfall over northwestern plains, west-central India, and south Peninsular India for the next six to seven days.

Regions including eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab, parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka recorded rainfall deficits exceeding 20%.