Weather and Risk
Deficient Monsoon and Kharif Sowing 2026: How Farmers Can Manage Risk
By ATTPL Agritech Editorial Team · · 2 min read
Kharif sowing was reported lower in mid-August 2026. Practical steps for water, crop choice, insurance and cash flow when rains disappoint.
What the numbers said
A news report published in August 2026 said total kharif area sown reached about 1,016.57 lakh hectares as of 14 August, against 1,037.52 lakh hectares a year earlier, with rice area down about 14 per cent, and attributed the shortfall to a deficient monsoon aggravated by El Nino. Check the Agriculture Ministry's weekly sowing data for current figures.
Steps for farmers
- Use short-duration and drought-tolerant varieties where recommended locally.
- Prioritise water: mulching, drip or sprinklers and farm ponds.
- Enrol in crop insurance such as PMFBY before the cut-off dates.
- Stagger sowing and diversify with pulses or millets where suitable.
- Keep cash flow buffers and talk to your bank early about restructuring needs.
Information is protection
Follow IMD forecasts and your Krishi Vigyan Kendra's advisories, and avoid sudden input purchases on rumours.
Water budgeting for a dry season
Estimate how much water you actually have from wells, canals and ponds and match it to the crop's critical stages. Many crops can tolerate stress at some stages but not at flowering or grain filling. Allocate scarce water to those stages and avoid irrigating low-value fields.
Use mulching and timely weeding to reduce evaporation and competition for moisture.
Crop choice and contingency plans
Local agriculture departments and Krishi Vigyan Kendras publish contingency plans listing short-duration varieties, alternative crops and sowing windows for late rains. Talk to them early, collect certified seed in time and avoid buying seed of unknown origin from unverified sellers.
Finance, insurance and records
Keep documents ready for insurance claims, such as sowing certificates, land records and bank details. Talk to your bank about options if repayment becomes difficult after a bad season. Maintain a record of inputs and losses with photographs, which strengthens claims.
Technology that helps
ATTPL Agritech's farmer tools aim to bring weather alerts, advisory and market access to one place for farmers in Rajasthan and across India.
Frequently asked questions
Is a poor monsoon always a poor crop year?
Not necessarily; distribution of rain, soil moisture and irrigation matter as much as the total.
Where do I enrol in crop insurance?
Through your bank, a common service centre or the PMFBY portal, before the notified last date.
Sources and further reading
This article is general information for farmers and agri businesses, not agronomic, financial or legal advice. Prices, schemes and weather change; check official sources and your local agriculture officer before acting.
