IGI Logo

Despite below-normal rainfall across various states, India's summer sowing has witnessed a remarkable 7.3% increase compared to the previous year, covering 39.44 lakh hectares. While crops like paddy and coarse cereals show promising growth, others like sunflower and bajra have experienced declines. Moreover, the country's oilseed and pulse sectors have also shown resilience amidst the challenging weather conditions, reflecting the adaptability of Indian agriculture.

Summer sowing area increases: Despite below-normal rainfall in several states, the summer sowing area has increased by 7.3% compared to the previous year, reaching 39.44 lakh hectares.

Crop-wise changes: Paddy, maize, and groundnut have seen an increase in acreage, while sunflower, bajra, and ragi have witnessed a decrease.

Paddy and coarse cereals: Paddy sowing is up by 8%, with coarse cereals seeing a 9.1% increase. Maize acreage has surged by 24.2%, while bajra has decreased by 23%.

Summer pulses and oilseeds: Summer pulses acreage has slightly increased by 0.5%, mainly due to a rise in the coverage of small local pulses. Oilseeds area is higher by 7.3%, including groundnut and sesamum.

Rainfall situation: Cumulative rainfall in the pre-monsoon season is 8% below normal on a pan-India basis as of March 15. While the north-west region has a surplus of 36%, central India has seen a 22% deficit. South India has experienced a significant 96% deficit, and east and north-east India have received 56% less rainfall than average during March 1-15.

Conclusion

India's agricultural sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of below-normal rainfall, with summer sowing witnessing a significant surge. Despite challenges posed by erratic weather patterns, farmers have adapted their cropping patterns, leading to increases in acreage for key crops like paddy, maize, and groundnut. This adaptability underscores the strength of India's agricultural sector and its ability to navigate through diverse climatic conditions. However, careful monitoring and support mechanisms will be essential to ensure sustained growth and resilience in the agricultural sector amid evolving environmental challenges.

Above views are of the author and not of the website kindly read disclaimer