Despite rainfall deficit, kharif acreage above 5-year average
India's kharif (summer-sown) crop acreage remained slightly above the five-year average despite a 12% monsoon rainfall deficit. However, agricultural experts warn that final crop yields and output for pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals could still be negatively impacted by skewed rainfall distribution and regional droughts.
Why it matters
Understanding agricultural resilience against monsoon anomalies is critical for food security, inflation forecasting, and rural economic policy in South Asia.
NEW DELHI: Overall acreage of kharif (summer-sown) crops in the country declined by just over 1% this year compared with last year and while the dip was expected due to deficient monsoon rainfall this year, the sowing season still ended up recording higher than 'normal' (average of last five years) acreage. Though only marginally above the 'normal', it reflects tweaks in farmers' strategy if warning comes in advance.Latest acreage data shows total sown area at 1,107 lakh hectares (ha) as of Friday was 3 lakh ha more than 'normal' acreage (1,104 lakh ha) despite a cumulative deficit of 12% (June 1-Sept 26) in monsoon rainfall.
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