Monsoon deficit threatens lower rabi sowing and crop yields
In short
Farmers may plant less rabi crop because rainfall has been weak and the soil is dry. Reservoirs are also under pressure, and more than half have less water than last year.
This could hurt wheat, pulses and oilseeds. Governments are telling farmers to choose crops based on water supply, but the size of the drop is not known.
What the reporting says
Farmers are likely to reduce rabi sowing because inadequate rainfall has left soil moisture low and reservoirs under pressure. The reporting says this could cut yields of wheat, pulses and oilseeds, with more than half of reservoirs storing less water than last year. State and central governments are urging crop choices based on water availability, especially in dry regions. What is not stated is how large the acreage decline may be.
Why it matters
Farmers are expected to scale back rabi sowing after weak rainfall reduced soil moisture and put reservoirs under pressure. The report says this could lower yields of wheat, pulses and oilseeds, and that more than half of reservoirs hold less water than a year ago. State and central governments are advising crop choices based on available water, but the acreage impact is not quantified.