Drought conditions in 5 states; 6.11 lakh hectares of crop area affected; focus on low-water-consuming crops for Rabi season
New Delhi: The agricultural sector in several states has been impacted by a deficit monsoon and adverse weather conditions. According to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, drought conditions have been declared in Karnataka, Maharashtra, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan. Meanwhile, preliminary reports indicate that approximately 6.11 lakh hectares of crop area across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have been affected by heavy rains, floods, or drought. A detailed scientific assessment of the damage is currently underway.
By the end of the monsoon season, rainfall across the country was approximately 12.3% below normal. Consequently, the total sown area for Kharif crops declined by about 1%. The acreage for paddy decreased by 16.32 lakh hectares, while reductions were also recorded in the areas under maize, soybean, and cotton. Conversely, there was an increase in the cultivation area for crops such as urad (black gram), tur (pigeon pea), bajra (pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), sesame, and sunflower.
For the Rabi season, the focus will be on promoting short-duration crops that require less water and are suited to local soil and weather conditions. The Central Government will assist states in identifying appropriate seeds and crop varieties. A central team is scheduled to visit Karnataka on October 3 to assess the drought situation, while Maharashtra has also requested a central assessment team.
The government has set a total foodgrain production target of 373.93 million tonnes for 2026-27. Production stood at 376.56 million tonnes in 2025-26. The foodgrain production target for the upcoming Rabi season has been fixed at 177.72 million tonnes.
Fertilizer requirement for the Rabi season is estimated at approximately 380 lakh metric tonnes. Currently, a fertilizer stock of over 163 lakh metric tonnes is available in the country. To promote balanced fertilizer use, the government has announced a ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ (Save the Farm Campaign) to be conducted from October 22 to November 30. A pilot project demonstrated that balanced fertilizer use led to a 27% reduction in consumption and savings of over ₹1,400 crore.
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