📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Original: Ravan Khosa
Derivative work: Aristeas
Agriculture
Kharif sowing gap narrows as key crops fall behind, says Ministry
✍️ Livemint
🗓 14 Sep 2026, 10:46 PM
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The Ministry of Agriculture reports that the overall gap between actual and target Kharif sowing has reduced, but planting of major crops such as rice and cotton remains below expectations.
The agricultural season for Kharif, which runs from June to October, is now midway, and officials have been tracking sowing progress against the government's target.
According to the latest ministry data, the difference between the area actually sown and the area slated for sowing has narrowed compared with earlier assessments, indicating that overall momentum is picking up.
However, the report also highlights that sowing of several key crops, including rice, cotton and certain oilseeds, is still lagging behind the projected schedule, raising concerns among policymakers.
The ministry cautioned that delayed planting of these staple and cash crops could affect the upcoming harvest and advised farmers to accelerate operations where possible.
Stakeholders are monitoring weather patterns and input availability closely, as both factors will influence whether the remaining sowing gap can be closed before the monsoon withdraws.
According to the latest ministry data, the difference between the area actually sown and the area slated for sowing has narrowed compared with earlier assessments, indicating that overall momentum is picking up.
However, the report also highlights that sowing of several key crops, including rice, cotton and certain oilseeds, is still lagging behind the projected schedule, raising concerns among policymakers.
The ministry cautioned that delayed planting of these staple and cash crops could affect the upcoming harvest and advised farmers to accelerate operations where possible.
Stakeholders are monitoring weather patterns and input availability closely, as both factors will influence whether the remaining sowing gap can be closed before the monsoon withdraws.