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Rajasthan Crops at Risk: Delayed Monsoon Threatens Sowing
13 Jul
Summary
- Monsoon rains crucial for over half of Rajasthan's kharif crops.
- Sowing coverage is 20-25% lower than last year due to weak pre-monsoon.
- Dry spell poses risk to sown crops, potentially forcing resowing.
Kharif crop sowing in Rajasthan is proceeding sluggishly due to unpredictable rainfall patterns this year. Agricultural experts estimate that sowing coverage is currently 20-25% less than the previous year. A substantial portion of the state's kharif crops relies on monsoon rainfall, which arrived late in July and was followed by a dry spell, placing sown crops in jeopardy.
Farmers are hesitant to proceed with further sowing, waiting for adequate rain. This delay impacts key crops like pearl millet (bajra), sorghum (jowar), maize, and pulses such as moong and urad. While groundnut and soybean sowing show better progress, guar, a prominent crop in the state, is significantly behind its target.
Experts note that delayed or scanty monsoons could shift focus to crops like guar, moong, and bajra, which can be sown later and require less water. Rajasthan is a major producer of guar, accounting for over 70% of India's total production. The current sowing situation highlights the vulnerability of agricultural output to weather conditions.
