Kharif Sowing Slow in Karnataka as Cotton Acreage Surges Despite Rainfall Deficit
By jayesh chouhan 2026-07-06 13:38:07
Kharif Sowing Sluggish in Karnataka, but Cotton Sowing Picks Up Pace
Kharif season sowing in Karnataka has remained slower than expected this year. According to Agriculture Department data up to July 3, sowing has been completed on 36.5 lakh hectares against a target of 84.1 lakh hectares—approximately 43% of the total target. While this is about 28% lower than the corresponding period last year, it stands at roughly 94% of the five-year average.
The primary reasons for the delay in sowing are the late arrival of the monsoon and below-normal rainfall in several parts of the state. This has most significantly impacted cereal and pulse crops, whereas sowing of cotton and other cash crops has accelerated in irrigated areas.
District-wise data reveals that Chikkaballapur has covered only 9% of its normal sowing area. Sowing also lags significantly in districts like Bengaluru Rural (24%) and Kolar. Conversely, the situation is better in the irrigated regions of North Karnataka. Raichur leads the pack at 157% of its normal area, while Yadgir, Haveri, Dharwad, and Gadag have also recorded sowing levels above normal.
In terms of crop-specific status, cereal sowing has reached only 27% of the target, and pulse sowing stands at 44%. Maize sowing has fared relatively better, reaching 86% of normal levels. Among oilseeds, sunflower sowing is at 130% of the five-year average, whereas groundnut continues to lag behind normal levels.
Commercial crops have shown the best performance; sowing has reached 121% of normal levels, with cotton sowing recorded at 141% of the five-year average. This indicates that amidst rainfall uncertainty, farmers are prioritizing cash crops where irrigation facilities are available. Weather experts believe that if rainfall remains below normal in July as well, pressure on Kharif crops in the state could increase, and there is a risk of drought-like conditions developing in several areas.
