Good Monsoon, Fantastic Agriculture! Bountiful rains boost kharif crop sowing by 10% in a year; this commodity sees 60% jump

The monsoon season has set in across several states, including Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand. Despite this, the weather department—India Meteorological Department (IMD)—has predicted low rainfall in some of these states. Many of these regions are known for growing their respective crops, particularly Kharif crops such as rice, maize, cotton, and soybean. So, is this an opportunity for the agriculture sector and farmers to increase sowing of these crops? Learn how cumulative rainfall across the nation is also impacting Kharif crop farming.

Cumulative rainfall across India until June 24, 2025, stood at 4 per cent above the Long Period Average (LPA). This marks a strong recovery after a rainfall deficit between June 6 and June 22, according to the second-largest lender.

Here is how region-wise rainfall fared:

• North-West India: +31 per cent above LPA
• Central India: +15 per cent above LPA
• South Peninsula: -7 per cent below LPA
• East & North-East India: -11 per cent below LPA

Out of the 36 meteorological subdivisions across the country, 26 have received normal or above-normal rainfall so far. In contrast, the remaining 10 subdivisions have experienced deficient rainfall, with levels ranging from 20 per cent to as much as 59 per cent below the long period average (LPA).

Despite below-average rainfall in some key kharif-producing states, the nation has witnessed a 10.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in overall sowing in such crops.

As of now, a total of 13.8 million hectares has been sown under kharif crops with a notable increase from 12.5 million hectares during the same period last year. This progress comes against a normal kharif sowing area of 109.7 million hectares. The surge in sowing has occurred via year-on-year (YoY) growth in key crops.

Here's an overview of such crops seen sowing in a year:

• Rice has seen a rise of 57.9 per cent
• Pulses have increased by 42.4 per cent
• Coarse cereals have gone up by 22.1 per cent

However, not all crop categories have shown positive sowing growth.

During the period, the sowing of oilseeds has declined by 2 per cent YoY, while jute and mesta have also registered a drop of 2.8 per cent.

This increase in sowing bodes well for both farmers and the agriculture sector, which will support rural incomes and ease inflation pressures in the second half of the year, ICICI Bank noted.

Amid this, water availability is another spot in the season. The total live storage across 150 major reservoirs stood at 58.0 billion cubic meters (BCM) until June 19, which is 32 per cent of their full storage capacity.

The current reservoir storage levels are better compared to the same period last year which stood at 154 per cent higher.

When compared to the 10-year average, the storage levels are either on par or slightly above that represent good water availability outlook for the ongoing agricultural season.

Check out the region-wise  and basin reservoir status in the nation:

• Southern Region: 39 per cent (16 per cent last year)
• Western Region: 32 per cent
• Central Region: 29 per cent
• Northern Region: 27 per cent
• Eastern Region: 24 per cent
• Cauvery Basin: 84.3 per cent of capacity
• Ganga Basin: 35.3 per cent of capacity