Maharashtra Receives Near-Normal Rainfall This Monsoon, Yet Uneven Spread Slows Sowing
Maharashtra has received 334.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and July 13. This amount equals 96.28 percent of the normal average of 346.4 mm.
A presentation delivered to the state cabinet on Tuesday highlighted the overall picture. The monsoon has delivered near-normal rainfall so far. However, the distribution across districts remains quite uneven.
Progress in Kharif Sowing
Farmers have completed Kharif sowing on 96.21 lakh hectares. This covers 67 percent of the state’s normal sowing area of 144.36 lakh hectares.
By comparison, sowing reached 120.65 lakh hectares during the same period last year. That represented 84 percent of the normal area.
Paddy transplantation continues in several regions. Meanwhile, sowing operations are picking up speed. Crops sown so far stand mostly in the germination to early vegetative stage.
Uneven Rainfall Across Districts
Nine districts recorded more than 100 percent of their normal rainfall. These include Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli, and Jalna.
Nandurbar received the lowest rainfall at just 29 percent of normal. Twelve districts saw between 50 and 75 percent of normal rain. Another twelve districts received 75 to 100 percent of their usual rainfall.
Crop-Wise Sowing Status
Sowing progress varies by crop. Maize covers 8.91 lakh hectares, which is 95 percent of its normal area. Soybean follows at 37.37 lakh hectares, or 79 percent. Cotton sowing reached 32.79 lakh hectares, standing at 77 percent of normal.
Pulse sowing covers 11.46 lakh hectares, or 56 percent of the normal area. Oilseed sowing stands at 38.20 lakh hectares, or 78 percent. Total foodgrain sowing has reached 25.21 lakh hectares, which is 48 percent of normal. Paddy sowing remains lower at 2.87 lakh hectares, or just 19 percent of its normal area.
Overall, Maharashtra’s monsoon has brought encouraging rainfall levels. Yet the uneven pattern continues to influence sowing progress across the state. Farmers now focus on catching up in drier regions while protecting early crops in wetter areas.
This balanced yet patchy monsoon sets an important stage for the Kharif season ahead.