Summer crop sowing of rice, pulses, and oilseeds is delayed by a weak monsoon

According to government statistics, a delayed monsoon and harsh weather in several regions of the nation have hindered the planting of important summer crops, which provide half of India’s food and have an impact on consumer pricing.

Farmers have until mid-July to make up the difference, but much will rely on how the June to September monsoon develops, according to economists. Abundant rains increase agricultural productivity, rehydrate aquifers, and fill 121 reservoirs needed for irrigation, drinking water, and power generation.

The third-largest economy in Asia depends on rain to survive, and between June 1 and June 13, when sowing statistics are available, the rain bearing system was 47% below average. Cyclone Biparjoy in the Arabian Sea delayed its arrival in Kerala, its first port of call on the Indian subcontinent, by a week on June 8 and has slowed its progress through the rest of India.

7.83 million hectares of summer crops, including 4.74 million hectares of sugarcane and 1.43 million hectares of cotton, had been seeded by farmers as of June 13. According to government figures, this is just slightly more than the 7.75 million hectares seeded during the same time period last year.

While the area planted with pulses has decreased by 57%, rice planting has decreased by 14.6%. When compared to the same time last year, the oil seed acreage is down 14.4%.

To prevent food inflation from growing, a robust supply of pulses and oilseeds, whose prices reached a high last year. Pulses are a typical source of protein for the majority of Indians, but the introduction of an El Nino weather trend that results in less monsoon rainfall has fueled fears about rising pricing.

Even though the federal government has implemented a number of price-control measures ahead of assembly elections in four states and a general election that is scheduled for next year, rising protein-led costs may be a big driver of inflation and family spending.

Due mostly to an increase in sugarcane and cotton, the overall kharif acreage is typical. The kharif area without sugarcane is over 47% less than what farmers sowed during the same time period previous year. An El Nino weather trend, which is characterised by increasing Pacific Ocean temperatures, might provide dry, scorching summers in South Asia, which could have an influence on the fall crop even if the India Meteorological Department has predicted an ordinary monsoon.

As Cyclone Biparjoy weakens and becomes a depression, rain is predicted in several parts of central and northern India. According to Comtrade analyst Abhishek Agrawal, this will contribute to an increase in acreage.