Deficient monsoon impacts wheat sowing; rabi acreage down
Deficient monsoon impacts wheat sowing; rabi acreage down
IN · Published Oct 27, 2026
• Wheat sowing in India has commenced but is lagging significantly due to a deficient southwest monsoon.
• As of October 23, wheat coverage stands at 11,000 hectares, compared to 27,000 hectares during the same period last year.

Impact & Risks

The deficient monsoon has created challenges for wheat sowing, particularly in rainfed and poorly irrigated areas like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bundelkhand, and parts of central India. Reduced soil moisture and irrigation constraints may lead to lower acreage and threaten yields. This could impact India's wheat production target of 121 million tonnes for the 2026-27 crop year. Farmers in Punjab and Rajasthan face significant risks due to below-normal reservoir storage and limited irrigation options.

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