Kharif pulses sowing in India has gotten off to a weak start, with acreage down 43% as of June 12 compared to the same period last year, according to Agriculture Ministry data released on Tuesday. A delayed and deficient monsoon has left farmers in key producing regions waiting for rains to begin planting.
Sowing Progress and Rainfall Deficit
The Agriculture Ministry data shows a significant drop in coverage across major pulses. As of June 12, tur (pigeon pea) has been planted on just 0.09 lakh hectares, down 57% from last year. Urad (black matpe) acreage stands at 0.27 lakh hectares, trailing by 22%. Moong (lentils) coverage is 0.69 lakh hectares, a 55% decline from 1.54 lakh hectares a year ago.
| Crop | Acreage as of June 12 (lakh hectares) | Change vs last year |
|---|---|---|
| Tur (pigeon pea) | 0.09 | -57% |
| Urad (black matpe) | 0.27 | -22% |
| Moong (lentils) | 0.69 | -55% |
The rainfall deficit is a key driver. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the country has received 32% deficient rain through June 15, with actual rainfall of 42.4 mm against a normal of 62.1 mm.
Farmer Concerns and Regional Impact
Farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra are particularly affected. Basavaraj Ingin, President of the Karnataka Pradesh Red Gram Growers Association in Kalaburgi, said, "So far, there has been no rain. We are not sure whether the rains will arrive on time in the days ahead." He added that farmers are concerned about the delay. The situation is similar in Latur and Solapur in Maharashtra and parts of Telangana, where pigeon pea is largely grown.
In some parts of Kalaburgi where it rained a few weeks ago, farmers had taken up sowing of moong. However, Ingin noted that "even that early sown crop requires rains now to survive," urging the government to plan rescue measures. Sujay Hubli, a miller in Gadag, confirmed that moong sowing occurred in Gadag and Yadgir wherever it rained, but growers are waiting for a fresh spell to aid crop growth. N Kalantri, a miller in Latur, said there were no rains in the region and sowing of tur has yet to start.
Government Buffer Stocks and Outlook
Satish Upadhyay, Honorary Secretary of the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), described the situation as a "wait-and-watch" with much uncertainty over rains. He flagged El Niño as a concern for major pulses-producing states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Though sowing can be taken up until mid-July for crops like tur and matpe, any delay will push back the harvest.
Upadhyay noted that the government holds buffer stocks of 4.3-4.5 million tonnes of pulses, which should keep prices under check. For commodity traders and procurement teams, the sharp drop in acreage signals potential tightening of domestic pulse supplies later this year, though the buffer may moderate price spikes. The next two weeks of monsoon performance will be critical in determining the final planted area.
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