The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- Kharif crop sowing in India recovered sharply in July after improved rainfall, having earlier lagged by about 23% due to a nearly 40% rainfall deficit in June.
- As of July 24, total kharif acreage stood at 82.62 million hectares, still 4.9% below last year, with the shortfall concentrated in coarse cereals, rice and pulses, while sugarcane and jute were the only major crops with higher acreage.
- Experts, including Barclays, warn that crop yields rather than acreage will determine the eventual harvest, given risks from late sowing and strengthening El Nino conditions.
- Rice appears relatively protected due to acreage recovery and government stocks, but pulses and oilseeds face a weaker outlook that could raise import dependence and prolong food inflation.
What to watch next
- Rainfall during August and September and reservoir storage levels thereafter, which Barclays says will decide the kharif harvest and even the rabi season
- Development of El Nino conditions and their impact on crop productivity
- Pulses and oilseeds sowing and prices, given their greater monsoon dependence and potential to add to food inflation and imports
Coverage1
1 report
English national1
All filed from India
Named India · Coarse cereals · Cotton · Farmers · Jute · Oilseeds · Pulses · Punjab · Rice · Sugarcane · Uttar Pradesh · Agriculture Ministry
The 1 report is listed beside the record.
Ask this story
Answers cite the reports above, or say they can't.