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India’s monsoon season, which began on June 1, has witnessed average rainfall despite initial concerns regarding the El Nino weather pattern. While heavy rains have helped erase the rain deficit, the uneven distribution of rainfall across the country has created new worries for farmers. This summary highlights the impact of the monsoon season on different regions and various crops, along with the potential consequences for agricultural production.
The monsoon season has resulted in uneven rainfall distribution across India. Northern and northwestern states such as Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan have experienced excessive rainfall, while southern and eastern regions have faced dry conditions. Only a third of the country has received average rainfall, with 34 per cent of India experiencing deficient rains and 32 per cent experiencing excessive rainfall.
Impact of Rainfall on Crop Planting:
The delayed arrival of the monsoon led to a slow start in crop planting. Although the sowing of rice, cotton, oilseeds, and pulses has gained momentum in the past two weeks, heavy rainfall in northern states has damaged newly planted rice crops, requiring many farmers to replant. Conversely, states like Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and West Bengal have experienced scant rainfall, leading to delays in planting rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, groundnuts, and pulses.
Insufficient rain during the crucial growth period has raised concerns among sugarcane growers in Maharashtra and Karnataka, potentially reducing sugar output. Erratic rainfall distribution has also affected vegetable crops, damaging standing crops in northern regions and delaying planting in southern areas. Record-high prices have been observed for certain vegetables, including tomatoes, due to the impact of floods and delayed planting.
Delayed Pulses Planting and Reduced Yields
The delayed planting of pulses, a significant protein source for India’s vegetarian population, is expected to result in lower-than-normal yields. Rain-fed crops like pulses are particularly affected by delays, with planting areas shrinking compared to the previous year. Similarly, soybean and cotton planting areas have also decreased, potentially leading to lower yields. Late planting can cause adverse effects on crops during the maturity phase, as rising temperatures may hinder pod formation and filling.
Potential Impacts on Winter Crops
Delays in planting summer crops have a ripple effect on winter crop cultivation. The late sowing of crops like wheat, rapeseed, and chickpeas can disrupt harvesting schedules. Furthermore, a forecasted strong El Nino during the Indian winter months may lead to higher temperatures and reduced yields for wheat and rapeseed. This situation could complicate efforts to control wheat prices and necessitate an increase in vegetable oil imports due to lower rapeseed output.
India’s monsoon season has witnessed average rainfall, with heavy rains erasing initial deficits. However, uneven rainfall distribution poses challenges for farmers across different regions. The delayed planting of crops, damage to standing crops, and reduced yields for key agricultural products have raised concerns for agricultural production and food security. Additionally, the potential impact of El Nino on rainfall during the maturity phase of crops and subsequent effects on winter crop yields further highlight the need for careful monitoring and adaptive measures in India’s agricultural sector.
About El Nino
El Nino is a climate phenomenon characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Oceans. It can disrupt weather patterns worldwide, leading to droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. El Nino occurs irregularly, typically every 2 to 7 years, and has significant impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and ecosystems.
