The much awaited Kharif 2021 sowing data is out and the numbers are quite a surprise. The rainfall in June was normal and with progress in some states being ahead of schedule, have resulted in early sowing.
However, the sowing of oilseeds particularly is lesser than expected as per the Agricoop report. As per initial sowing numbers, it seems farmers have focused more on coarse cereals. Sowing in Kharif in key crops is largely 5-20% complete. Details of the Kharif sowing as on June 25 for key crops is shown below-
| Particulars (figures in Mln hectares) | As on 25.06.2021 | As on 25.06.2020 | Change(+/-) | Full Year 2020 | Percent completed of Last year (D Of G) | Normal Area | Percent completed of Normal (D Of I) |
| Grains | |||||||
| Rice | 3.62 | 3.46 | 0.15 | 40.11 | 9.01% | 39.57 | 9.14% |
| Pulses | |||||||
| Tur | 0.56 | 0.88 | (0.33) | 4.62 | 12.1% | 4.56 | 12.20% |
| Urad | 0.22 | 0.22 | (0.00) | 3.75 | 5.8% | 3.73 | 5.82% |
| Moong | 0.52 | 0.51 | 0.01 | 3.50 | 14.9% | 3.35 | 15.62% |
| Coarse cereals | |||||||
| Jowar | 0.15 | 0.21 | (0.07) | 1.66 | 8.7% | 1.95 | 7.43% |
| Bajra | 0.70 | 1.10 | (0.40) | 6.71 | 10.5% | 7.34 | 9.55% |
| Maize | 2.23 | 1.91 | 0.32 | 7.77 | 28.7% | 7.47 | 29.83% |
| Oilseeds | |||||||
| Soybean | 1.35 | 2.34 | (0.99) | 12.06 | 11.15% | 11.29 | 11.92% |
| Groundnut | 0.90 | 1.21 | (0.31) | 4.93 | 18.27% | 4.17 | 21.58% |
| Sunflower | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.13 | 37.30% | 0.14 | 33.10% |
| Softs | |||||||
| Cotton | 3.71 | 7.17 | (3.46) | 12.96 | 28.66% | 12.36 | 30.05% |
(Source: Agricoop)
Soybean
As per trade sources, sowing of soybean in Maharashtra probably could be higher while that in Madhya Pradesh could be lower. In both the states, sowing is 70-80% complete as per sources. However, Agricoop sowing report indicates just 10-11% complete.
As per Agalabs preliminary forecast, soybean sowing in the country is projected at 10 mln ha in 2021.
In Madhya Pradesh, as per state government data, sowing as on June 26 is higher in Bhopal, Indore and Ujjain region. Total area sown of soybean as on June 26 in the state is pegged at 1.2 mln ha as against the target of 6.2 mln ha.
In Maharashtra also the sowing is nearly 60-65% completed and key areas are Amravati, Latur and Aurangabad districts. As on June 28, sowing in the state is estimated at 2.16 mln ha, as per state government data.
Tur
Area under tur, as per Agricoop data, sowing in the country is down 37%. As per state government sowing data, sowing of tur as on June 28 is pegged at 555,618 ha and the key districts are Amravati, Latur and Nagpur.
As per Agalabs, we forecast sowing of tur in the country at 3.8 mln ha in 2021.