Amid uncertainty in the southwest monsoon due to the potential impact of El Niño, the Government of India under PM Shri Narendra Modi is addressing the situation with comprehensive preparedness, a clear strategy, and strong ground-level action.
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced that after a 33% rainfall deficit in June, the monsoon situation improved in July, with the overall deficit narrowing to 24%. Several regions received good rainfall recently, reducing the number of rainfall-deficient districts from 262 to 178.
The government is closely monitoring monsoon conditions in states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Chouhan expressed confidence that rainfall would gain momentum, aiding Kharif sowing.
So far, Kharif sowing has been completed over 350.85 lakh hectares, 91.95 lakh hectares lower than last year. Delays in the monsoon have particularly affected soybean and cotton sowing. Farmers are advised to cultivate short-duration crops to mitigate the impact of delayed rainfall.
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