Kharif season's slow start: Decreased crop planting raises alarm

The first week of July of the Kharif season has passed, but rice planting in India has not picked up momentum. In fact, aside from coarse grains, there has been a decline in the planting of all crops.

According to data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, the country has planted 353.43 lakh hectares as of 7th July 2023, reflecting a decrease of 33.58 lakh hectares (8.68%) compared to the previous year.

Kharif planting decreases

Compared to 2021, there has been a reduction in planting of 94.75 lakh hectares (nearly 22%). It is important to note that last year, in 2022, Kharif's crops were severely affected due to the erratic monsoon.

Among the states, Maharashtra and Karnataka have been the most affected. By this time last year, farmers in Maharashtra had planted 83.36 lakh hectares, but this year they have only planted 36.29 lakh hectares. Similarly, in Karnataka, the area planted last year was 35.93 lakh hectares, whereas this year it is only 19.71 lakh hectares.

Chhattisgarh is the third most affected state. Until now, farmers have planted only 3.38 lakh hectares in this area, whereas last year they had planted 12.10 lakh hectares and the year before that it was 19.11 lakh hectares.

Rice, which is Kharif's main season crop, is experiencing a significant decline in planting. Paddy rice is generally planted between June 15 and July 15 in most rice-producing states, considered an optimal time for production. However, with a week to go, the planting figures so far are disappointing.

Rice planting lagging behind last year

Farmers have not planted 23.89% of the rice area compared to last year. They have planted rice on 54.12 lakh hectares this year, whereas in the first week of July last year, they had planted it on 71.10 lakh hectares. This means that there is a difference of 16.99 lakh hectares.

"Although the monsoon has covered the entire country and has somewhat reduced the low rainfall in the east, center and south of the country, the situation remains worrying," said GP Sharma, Skymet's president.

"…Rainfalls are poor in key kharif growing states like Maharashtra, Karnataka is creating concerns," Sharma added. "Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada regions and all of South India are facing a huge deficiency in rainfall."

"It's too early to say that these states are seeing a drought-like situation," Sharma said. “There are two categories when we explain drought: agricultural and hydrological. Hydrological drought is for meteorologists. % of LPA in the monsoon season from June to September, we can call it a drought-like situation," the meteorologist explained.

Rice planting delayed due to erratic monsoon

It is worth noting that last year, rice planting was also delayed due to the erratic monsoon. Therefore, compared to the first week of July 2021, this year's planting is 40.87 lakh hectares less. Farmers planted crops on 94.98 lakh hectares in 2021.

Chhattisgarh, a major rice-producing state, has also experienced a significant decline in rice planting. Farmers have planted rice on just 2.83 lakh hectares this year, whereas in 2022 it was planted on 8.95 lakh hectares, and in 2021 it was planted on 15.14 lakh hectares. Drought conditions and excess rainfall in the state have hampered planting activities, and farmers have been unable to plant nurseries.

Other states like Odisha, Assam, Punjab and Haryana have also witnessed a decrease in rice planting compared to last year.

The El Niño effect, characterized by abnormal warming of the Pacific Ocean, has a significant impact on the Indian monsoon. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a high probability of El Niño conditions developing during the middle of the monsoon season and continuing until the first quarter of 2024. If that happens, it could negatively affect the monsoon this year. anus.

El Niño returns, Climate concerns

Additionally, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently warned that El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, which could lead to disruptive weather patterns and global temperature surges.

The reduced planting of legumes is another concern this campaign. Pulses have been grown on 32.62 lakh hectares so far this year, compared to 43.96 lakh hectares last year. The planting of Arhar (pigeon peas) has decreased by 60% this year compared to last year. There has also been a reduction in the sowing of oilseeds, particularly sunflower.

Rain patterns vary across states. Bihar, for example, experienced a rainfall deficit of 24% on July 6. The overall figures for area planted to kharif crops are lower than the corresponding period of the previous year. Farmers have reduced plantings of rice, arhar, maize, sunflower, and cotton, while they have exceeded expectations in crops like moong, groundnut, bajra, and castor oil.

Area Covered

The planting area of kharif crops is less in states like Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab and Telangana compared to the corresponding period last year. Gujarat and Rajasthan, which have experienced excess rainfall, have seen increased coverage of the kharif growing area.

Planting declines are a cause for concern among farmers, and the impact of these factors on crop yields and food security will continue to unfold as the season progresses.

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