Rainfall situation better, kharif sowing improved: Chouhan
After a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) to review the El Niño conditions, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said
After a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) to review the El Niño conditions, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the monsoon situation in the country had improved. The overall rainfall deficit, after recording a 33% deficit in June, had reduced to 24% in July. The Minister added that several parts of the country received good rainfall in recent days, resulting in the number of rainfall-deficient districts declining from 262 to 178.
The Agriculture ministry said in a release that the government was addressing the situation with comprehensive preparedness, a clear strategy, and strong ground-level action. “While challenges remain, the entire system has been activated in advance and is working proactively to mitigate their impact,” it added. Chouhan said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, and Odisha. He expressed confidence that rainfall would gain further momentum during July, leading to an acceleration in kharif sowing.
Monsoon LIVE Suggestion to farmers Kharif sowing had so far been completed on 350.85 lakh hectares, approximately 91.95 lakh hectares lower than the corresponding period last year, the minister said, adding that the delayed onset of the monsoon had particularly affected soybean and cotton sowing. “However, farmers have been advised to cultivate short-duration and low-water-intensive crops such as maize, Bajra, and Moong to minimise the impact of delayed rainfall,” Mr. Chouhan said. He said the government had initiated preparations to meet the challenge as early as April.
“In collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICRA), contingency plans were prepared for districts likely to be affected and shared with State governments well in advance. As part of the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ conducted in June, more than 1.24 lakh programmes were organised across the country, directly reaching over 80 lakh farmers, he said.
The BriefWire