Kharif sowing remained just 1.4 percent higher at 98 million hectares, despite surplus rainfall for three weeks in a row, according to data released by the agriculture ministry as of August 12.

Paddy sowing was up 4.3 percent at 33.2 million hectares, whereas pulses sowing was 6.7 percent higher. On the other hand, jute and cotton sowing was down around 9 percent as of August 12.

India’s rainfall surplus declined to 6 percent on August 12, as a fourth of the country continued to remain rainfall deficient, according to data released by India Meteorological Department.

The country recorded a surplus rainfall of 6.33 percent on August 12, compared with 6.58 percent the previous day.

The deficit in northwestern and eastern parts of the country has narrowed drastically. Chandigarh’s deficit eased to 28 percent from above 50 percent for over a month now. In the northwest, five states/Union Territories faced deficit rainfall. Delhi’s rainfall deficit increased to 20 percent.

Besides Manipur, Punjab had the highest rainfall deficit of 33 percent.

Data released on August 8 showed that India’s reservoir situation improved further with the country having reservoir levels of 21 percent more than the normal storage, compared with 7 percent a week back.

The northern part of the country and states like West Bengal in the east continued to witness below normal reservoir storage, which has impacted sowing.

The government is hoping for a revival of its agricultural sector, which recorded 1.4 percent growth in FY24 compared to 4.7 percent in the previous year, also lower than the 3.7 percent long-term average.