Overview
- Early September government data show kharif sowing at about 108.63 million hectares, roughly 1.6% below last year and close to the normal benchmark for the season.
- The India Meteorological Department reports national monsoon rainfall about 13% below normal, with highly uneven distribution that leaves crops at critical growth stages vulnerable.
- Key crops lag well behind last year: rice acreage is down about 3.7% to 42.18 million hectares while maize, soybean and cotton also show notable declines.
- Districts paint a starker picture — Vizianagaram recorded roughly a 45% rainfall shortfall and paddy area fell from about 100,251 ha to 20,760 ha, while Sangareddy lost roughly 57,000 acres and the Singur reservoir held just over 4 TMCft of its 29.91 TMCft capacity after repair-related drawdowns.
- Farmers face immediate livelihood risk from sunk season costs, especially tenant cultivators who report large outlays, and the crop shortfalls could strain government procurement and food‑security programmes if yields fall.