India has experienced its driest June in more than a decade, triggering fresh concerns about agricultural output as delayed monsoon rains slow the sowing of key summer crops. The weak start to the rainy season has already reduced the area under cultivation, with rice planting witnessing a sharp decline.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), June 2026 was the fifth driest June since nationwide rainfall records began in 1901 and the driest in the last 12 years. The country also received significantly less rainfall than initially forecast, while weather officials have warned that rainfall in July is likely to remain below normal.
The delayed and weaker monsoon has already affected farming activities across several states. Government data shows that farmers had sown summer crops on 18.27 million hectares by the end of June, nearly 23% lower than the 23.65 million hectares recorded during the same period last year.
Rice cultivation has been hit particularly hard. Farmers have planted rice across only 2.58 million hectares so far this season, compared to 3.44 million hectares a year ago, marking a decline of about 25%. Other major summer crops, including pulses, coarse cereals, oilseeds, cotton, sugarcane and jute also depend heavily on timely monsoon rainfall.
Nearly half of India cultivated farmland lacks assured irrigation and relies almost entirely on seasonal rains. As a result, delays in the arrival and spread of the southwest monsoon directly affect field preparation, sowing schedules and crop growth.
The southwest monsoon normally begins over Kerala around June 1 before gradually advancing across the country. This year, however, its onset was delayed by three days and its progress slowed for nearly two weeks across parts of western India, disrupting agricultural operations during the crucial planting period.
Experts warn that weaker rainfall could also reduce domestic oilseed production increasing India’s dependence on imported edible oils if crop yields remain below expectations.
Despite the slow start officials say it is too early to predict the final impact on food production. The monsoon season continues until September, leaving room for rainfall to improve and farmers to complete delayed sowing in many regions.
The government has also highlighted comfortable food reserves as a safeguard against any immediate supply concerns. Rice stocks in government warehouses stood at 39.7 million tonnes on July 1, almost three times the official buffer requirement of 13.5 million tonnes. An additional 29.8 million tonnes of rice is expected after procured paddy is processed.
Meanwhile, authorities have intensified preparations for the possibility of continued weak monsoon conditions and the potential influence of El Niño, a climate phenomenon associated with warmer Pacific Ocean temperatures that can suppress rainfall in India.
The Agriculture Ministry has identified 315 districts that may face below normal rainfall and has prepared contingency plans. These include promoting short duration crop varieties, encouraging cultivation of crops that require less water, and strengthening water conservation measures to help farmers cope with rainfall shortages.
While officials have assured that there is no immediate threat to the country’s food security, the performance of the monsoon over the coming weeks will remain critical for India’s agricultural sector, rural economy and overall food production during the 2026 cropping season.