Kharif Sowing Rises with Monsoon and MSP Support in 2025
Kharif sowing in India rose 13.3% in June 2025, driven by monsoon rains and MSP hikes, but climate risks urge sustainable farming practices. Kharif sowing in India up 13.3% in June 2025 with monsoon and MSP support, but climate risks highlight need for sustainable agriculture.
Kharif crop sowing in India increased 13.3% in June 2025, driven by the southwest monsoon’s advance and higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 crops. Covering 453,000 hectares, the surge in rice, pulses, and sugarcane planting supports food security but faces climate risks, necessitating sustainable practices to ensure long-term resilience.
As of June 13, 2025, kharif sowing reached 453,000 hectares, up 13.3% from 2024, per the Ministry of Agriculture. Pulses planting rose 18% to 307,000 hectares, sugarcane to 5.51 million hectares, and rice sowing gained momentum with monsoon rains. The Cabinet approved MSP hikes for 2025-26, with nigerseed up ₹820 per quintal, ragi ₹596, cotton ₹589, and sesamum ₹579, ensuring 1.5 times the cost of production.
The southwest monsoon’s advance over Gujarat, Rajasthan, and central India by June 17 supported sowing, with IMD predicting further coverage. However, erratic rains pose risks, as seen in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, where floods damaged crops. The Reserve Bank of India notes increased extreme weather in agricultural states, impacting 18% of GDP.
Sustainable practices are critical, with 109 districts at high climate risk. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture promotes drought-tolerant varieties and zero-till sowing, reducing emissions. The government’s ₹1,000 crore for pulses and ₹500 crore for cotton aim to boost productivity, but water scarcity and soil degradation remain challenges.
The monsoon’s 75% contribution to rainfall underscores its importance, but long-term resilience requires precision irrigation and climate-resilient seeds. The Budget 2025-26’s focus on agriculture, with nine new programs, supports 17 million farmers but lacks provisions for groundwater sustainability.
Conclusion
The 13.3% rise in kharif sowing in 2025, backed by monsoon progress and MSP hikes, strengthens food security. However, climate risks demand sustainable practices and infrastructure investments to ensure agricultural resilience and economic stability.
Source: Outlook Business,
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