Slow monsoon progress in June hurt Kharif sowing: Here’s why July rains are more important than ever now

Due to the poor monsoon progress in June, rice production in the country may face setbacks. The slow progress of the monsoon has forced farmers to delay sowing.

Rice production in India, the second-largest grower, may face setbacks because of poor monsoon progress in June — it was deficient by eight per cent. This has forced farmers to delay sowing in many parts of the country.

Along with rice, the coverage area of many other Kharif crops, especially oilseeds, has decreased compared to last year, the Agriculture Ministry's latest weekly area coverage data shows.

Sowing areas for Kharif crops dropped more than five per cent compared to last year, while rice witnessed a 27 per cent drop as of July 1. Cumulative rainfall during June 1-30 is right per cent below LPA.

Only 15 of the 36 subdivisions received normal rainfall during June 1-July 3, 2022. The delay in monsoon advancement in the first two weeks of June slowed down the progress of Kharif sowing

The latest sowing data indicates that poor monsoon in growing areas may hamper rice production. So far, rice prices are stable. But any drop in harvesting could heat up prices domestically and globally. Currently, many countries are looking for alternatives to costly wheat.

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Around 150 countries import Indian rice. The onset, duration, and quantity of rainfall in June and July shape the rice market — and other Kharif crops — which is an important factor in food security.