NEW DELHI: There may be certain concerns over decline in acreage of Kharif crops, specifically paddy and oilseeds, this year over their sown areas during the corresponding period last year, but the overall current deficit is expected to end this week and may eventually cross the 'normal' level by the end of sowing season with gradual coverage of southwest monsoon in parts of northwest India.
"Decrease is due to the late arrival of the monsoon in some states. However, the area coverage is expected to pick up," said a note from the agriculture ministry on minutes of the meeting of the crop weather watch group, held last week in the backdrop of improved monsoon position.
In fact, the cumulative monsoon rains that showed a deficit of 8% in June have now recovered and figured at a surplus of 13% over the normal rainfall as on Thursday (July 14) in the country, improving water storage situation and sowing operations. Though northwest India and east & northeast India still show a deficit of 11% and 8% respectively, these two homogenous regions too have made progress in terms of receiving monsoon rainfall over the past one week.
Considering the gradual progress, the agriculture ministry expects the overall acreage may touch the 'normal' (average of last five years) level even if it won't cross the last year’s sown area figure. The acreage data of past one week (July 9-15), expected to be released on Friday evening, may give some indication of the progress on the sowing front as northwest India received relatively better rainfall during the week compared to the previous week.
Paddy’s acreage, which was 24% down at nearly 72 lakh hectares this year from 95 lakh hectares during corresponding period last year, is an important indicator of the overall food-grain output and eventually the possible situation of buffer stock. The ministry's data shows that the progressive procurement of rice is nearly 581 lakh tonnel in 2021-22 Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) which shows a marginal increase over procurement in the corresponding period previous year.
Wheat procurement is, however, a real concern as it shows a decline over last year. Officials believe that the gap may be bridged in the next few months.
Besides the progress of monsoon, the ministry is also banking on other factors, which officials believe, may help in increasing the pace of sowing operations over the next two-three weeks. "There is sufficient availability of certified/quality seeds of all major Kharif crops for the current season. Availability of fertilizer has also been comfortable," said an official.
Water storage situation is also good with the current year’s storage being 95% of last year’s storage and 121% of normal storage. As many as 105 out of 143 major reservoirs have storage more than 80% of normal storage -- an indication of enough backing for ongoing sowing operations in the areas which are not dependent on monsoon for irrigation needs.