India’s kharif sowing has crossed the 120 lakh-hectare mark, with total area reaching 119.90 lakh hectares (lh) as of June 19, up 1.7% from 117.95 lh a year earlier, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture. The sowing progress comes despite a 43% deficient monsoon rainfall so far, as officials monitor the situation closely.
Crop-wise Acreage Trends
The data reveals divergent trends across major kharif crops. The main cereal paddy has been transplanted on 12.36 lh, up sharply from 8.09 lh a year ago. Pulses acreage rose to 7.21 lh from 6.39 lh, while oilseeds coverage declined to 7.24 lh from 8.11 lh. Nutri/coarse cereals posted a 26.5% increase, reaching 12.43 lh against 9.82 lh.
| Crop | Current Acreage (lh) | Year-ago Acreage (lh) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy | 12.36 | 8.09 | +52.8 |
| Pulses (total) | 7.21 | 6.39 | +12.8 |
| Oilseeds (total) | 7.24 | 8.11 | -10.7 |
| Coarse/nutri cereals | 12.43 | 9.82 | +26.5 |
| Cotton | 17.13 | 22.82 | -25.0 |
| Soybean | 1.30 | 2.50 | -48.0 |
| Urad (black matpe) | 0.62 | 0.98 | -36.7 |
| Arhar (pigeon peas) | 1.61 | 1.59 | +1.3 |
| Moong (green gram) | 4.08 | 2.86 | +42.7 |
| Groundnut | 5.25 | 5.09 | +3.1 |
| Sugarcane | 57.31 | 56.64 | +1.2 |
Cotton acreage is notably 25% lower at 17.13 lh from 22.82 lh, while soybean dropped to 1.30 lh from 2.50 lh, and urad to 0.62 lh from 0.98 lh. According to the report, these lower areas “may shift to other crops even if it recovers in the coming days as monsoon resumes its progress.”
Among pulses, arhar sowing edged up to 1.61 lh from 1.59 lh, and moong jumped to 4.08 lh from 2.86 lh. Groundnut acreage rose marginally to 5.25 lh from 5.09 lh. For coarse cereals, jowar reached 1.74 lh (vs 1.40 lh), bajra 4.05 lh (vs 2.14 lh), ragi 0.31 lh (vs 0.27 lh), and maize 5.69 lh (vs 5.34 lh). Sugarcane planting, considered under kharif, reached 57.31 lh against 56.64 lh, though a revision is possible at season end.
Monsoon Progress and Deficiency
Monsoon progress has been “erratic” since its onset over Kerala on June 4, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. After a nearly fortnight-long pause, the monsoon has revived, raising expectations of improved sowing in areas with assured irrigation. However, the rainfall deficiency remains very high at 43% so far, prompting close monitoring of sowing activities.
On June 22, the IMD stated that conditions are favourable for the further advance of the south-west monsoon into some more parts of Maharashtra (including Mumbai), remaining parts of Telangana and Odisha, and some more parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar by June 24. Heavy to very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm) is predicted over the north-east region as well as West Bengal during the week.
Implications for Commodity Markets
For commodity traders and procurement teams, the acreage data points to potential supply shifts. The sharp drop in cotton acreage could reduce the 2026/27 cotton crop, potentially supporting domestic prices if sowing does not recover with monsoon progress. The decline in soybean and urad also raises concerns for oilmeal and pulse supplies, though moong and arhar acreage gains may offset some pulse deficits. The strong rise in paddy and coarse cereals suggests higher rice and feed-grain output if yields are normal.
Attention will now focus on rainfall distribution over the next two weeks. A sustained monsoon revival could prompt acreage reallocation, especially from cotton and soybean into other crops. The IMD’s forecast of monsoon advance into key central Indian states by June 24 is a positive signal, but the cumulative 43% rainfall deficit remains a risk for crop yields, particularly for rain-fed areas.
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