Pause in monsoon slows down kharif sowing

A week-long break in the South West Monsoon, after an early start, has slowed the progress of kharif sowing this year. Except for maize, ragi and sugarcane, the acreages of most kharif crops, so far, are trailing last year's levels.

The monsoon, which has covered the Deccan, North East and parts of East India is yet to advance in most parts of Central India and Gujarat. As a result, the sowing of key crops such as oilseeds — soyabean and groundnut, pulses and cotton is yet to take off.

Monsoon revival

"Planting of soyabean is yet to pick up in Central India. The delay is not a concern, so far. It has started raining in Indore now. If the forecast of a monsoon revival over next week comes true, we expect the sowing to pick up," said Davish Jain, Chairman of the Soyabean Processors Association of India.

Soybean planting typically starts from the second half of June and gets completed early July. So far, soybean has been planted in about 2.1 lakh ha (lha) as compared to 5.14 lha and planting has happened mainly in Karnataka, Maharashtra and parts of Uttarakhand.

In total kharif oilseeds, Karnataka has shown an increase, while Gujarat is trailing over last year’s levels due to the delayed planting.

As per IMD data, 14 of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions, accounting for 42 per cent of the country's geographical area, have received deficit rains in the season. Cumulative rainfall has been normal so far in 11 sub divisions accounting for 35 per cent of the area, and excess in 11 sub-divisions covering 23 per cent.

Paddy transplantation which picked in the second week of June has slowed down in the week ending June 22. So far, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have reported higher acreages this year, when compared to corresponding period last year.

 

 

Pulses start

Planting of pulses has started across key producing states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra. However, acreages are seen increasing in states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh over corresponding last year.

Higher coarse cereals coverage has been reported from Karnataka, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. While area under ragi has increased in Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan have reported a rise in jowar acreage. Maize area has risen in Karnataka, J&K, Punjab and UP. In Karnataka, the acreage has crossed 4.34 lha, an increase of a fourth over corresponding period last year.

Cotton acreages, which saw a pick up last week, have been trailing last year’s levels. While Haryana, Karnataka and MP have reported an increase in areas, major producers like Gujarat and Maharashtra are trailing. Planting has also been lower in Punjab and Rajasthan.

Sugarcane area has been higher as farmers have planted more cane in UP, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

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