Agriculture Minister Optimistic Kharif Sowing Deficit Will Be Covered by August 15
By jayesh chouhan 2026-07-16 13:50:08
Agriculture Minister Expects Kharif Sowing Deficit to be Covered by August 15
New Delhi: Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Wednesday that the shortfall in the area sown with Kharif crops could be made up, as the sowing season continues until August 15. He stated that the government is closely monitoring the monsoon and the progress of sowing.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Chouhan said there is still sufficient time for Kharif sowing. He said, "Kharif sowing takes place up to August 15. Rainfall was deficient in June, but there has been good rainfall in the first week of July. There is a possibility of good rainfall after July 20 as well."
He noted that the total area sown with crops up to July 10 in the current Kharif season is lower compared to the same period last year. However, he expressed hope that sowing would pick up pace in the coming days and the deficit in acreage would be covered.
Chouhan stated that the central government is continuously monitoring the situation and efforts are being made to ensure the timely availability of seeds, fertilizers, and other essential agricultural inputs to farmers. When asked if the sowing deficit could be bridged through improved sowing activity, he said, "There is a possibility. I am very hopeful."
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the total area sown with Kharif crops up to July 10 stood at 531.25 lakh hectares, down 15.93 percent from 631.88 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
The acreage for oilseeds declined by 21 percent to 117.83 lakh hectares. Within this category, the area under soybean fell by 16 percent to 90.51 lakh hectares.
Cotton sowing is also lagging. As of July 10, the cotton acreage stood at 79.54 lakh hectares, a decline of 15.33 percent from the 93.95 lakh hectares recorded during the same period last year. Sowing of Kharif crops usually begins in June with the arrival of the southwest monsoon. However, sowing has been affected this year due to a weak monsoon. Sowing is expected to pick up pace with an improvement in rainfall in the coming days.
