Business · India Bureau
Weak monsoon dampens India's rabi crop sowing momentum
Rabi crop sowing across India has lagged significantly behind last year's levels, with overall area coverage down 46 per cent as of late October. Poor monsoon rainfall has left soil moisture inadequate, particularly affecting wheat planting, which remains well below seasonal norms.
LSN India ·
Sowing of rabi crops has slowed considerably this season, with farmers covering just 37.56 lakh hectares by October 30, down sharply from 69.02 lakh hectares in the corresponding period last year, according to data released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. The substantial shortfall reflects ongoing moisture deficits across key agricultural regions following a deficient monsoon season.
Wheat, the primary rabi crop, has been particularly affected by the dry conditions. Farmers have sown the cereal across only 19,000 hectares so far, compared to 3.34 lakh hectares a year ago—a dramatic 94 per cent decline. Insufficient soil moisture has deterred farmers from undertaking sowings, as wheat typically requires adequate water availability during its October-November planting window ahead of the March-April harvest.
Other major rabi crops have also registered significant declines. Pulse cultivation covered 9.45 lakh hectares against 19.56 lakh hectares previously, while gram acreage fell to 5.90 lakh hectares from 14.35 lakh hectares. Oilseed plantings contracted to 20.97 lakh hectares from 38.62 lakh hectares, with rapeseed and mustard—key winter oilcrops—down to 20.50 lakh hectares from 38.07 lakh hectares. Coarse cereals were sown on 3.78 lakh hectares.
The Ministry of Agriculture will likely continue monitoring soil moisture levels and rainfall patterns in coming weeks as the critical sowing period progresses. Farmers typically have until November to complete wheat plantings, though the current deficit may constrain final area coverage for the 2025-26 crop year.