Kharif Crop Surge: Monsoon Delivers Boost Across India

Kharif crop sown area in India increased by 11.3% year-on-year as of June 27, 2025, boosted by above-average monsoon rains. Pulses and rice show significant growth in acreage, though cotton and jute sectors face declines. Despite regional disparities in rainfall, reservoir levels remain high nationwide.

A recent report from Bank of Baroda highlights a 11.3% increase in the sown area for Kharif crops as of June 27, 2025, compared to the previous year. This surge is attributed to the South-West monsoon gaining momentum, with rainfall recorded at 9% above the Long Period Average (LPA) until June 30, 2025.

The report specifies that this increase is predominantly visible in pulses and rice, up by 37.2% and 47.3% respectively. Among pulses, urad and moong beans have shown notable growth, while oilseeds like soybean and groundnut have also expanded. Conversely, crops such as cotton and jute & mesta have experienced a decrease in sowing area by 8.9% and 2.7%, respectively.

Regionally, 19 out of 36 sub-divisions received normal to excessive rainfall, with the North Western and Central regions particularly benefiting. However, East and North Eastern India reported a 17% deficiency in rainfall. Despite these disparities, reservoir storage levels are higher than last year, hitting 36% of total capacity as of June 26, 2025.