Mumbai, June 8: The Maharashtra government has urged farmers to refrain from rushing into sowing. This appeal comes as the monsoon has arrived in the southern Konkan region, but its progression across the state is expected to remain slow until June 15.
The meteorological department has clarified that there is a possibility of thunderstorms and strong winds in parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh, and central Maharashtra until June 15. However, this rainfall is not sufficient for widespread sowing. A government statement released late Sunday warned that early sowing could lead to economic losses for farmers, especially given the looming threat of drought.
Rainfall is expected to increase in several regions of Maharashtra after June 18. Notably, the Konkan coastal strip and the Ghats are likely to see above-average rainfall by the end of June. The intensity of rainfall in the Konkan and Ghats regions is expected to rise over the next three to four days.
Forecasts for the rest of the state indicate sporadic rainfall and thunderstorms. The statement also urged citizens to take necessary safety precautions against lightning and sudden weather changes.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remarked, “Farmers are eagerly awaiting the monsoon. However, this year is marked by El Niño. There is a 22 percent chance of average rainfall, but our priority is to ensure that farmers in Marathwada and other drought-affected areas are not forced to re-sow.” The government aims to maximize crop yield with minimal water usage, thereby reducing losses.
This advice from the state government comes at a time when farmers in Maharashtra’s cash crop regions, such as soybean, cotton, and pulses, typically rush to sow immediately after the first rains before the monsoon. However, agricultural experts and state administration recommend delaying sowing until at least 75 to 100 mm of rainfall occurs and sufficient moisture reaches the soil for seed germination. If drought follows the initial rains, as is predicted until mid-June, germinated seeds may wither in dry soil.
According to sources in the agriculture department, this situation forces poor farmers to repurchase expensive seeds and fertilizers, further entangling them in debt.
The Chief Minister’s explicit mention of the “El Niño year” is politically and administratively significant. The El Niño effect negatively impacts Indian monsoon patterns, leading to prolonged droughts and uneven rainfall distribution. Regions like Marathwada (Beed, Latur, Osmanabad) and Vidarbha have historically faced drought and rely heavily on dryland agriculture. A failure in the early sowing season in these areas severely affects agricultural production and exacerbates rural economic crises.
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