Kharif sowing hits 95 pc in Maharashtra; drought concerns loom over Marathwada

Mumbai, Sep 1 (AHN) Kharif sowing in Maharashtra reached 1.36 crore hectares as of August 31 for the 2026-27 season, covering 95 per cent of the average area. Deficit rainfall and prolonged dry spells during the monsoon season led to a reduction of approximately eight lakh hectares compared to the five-year average. Significant regional disparities have emerged across the state, with Konkan, Marathwada, and parts of Western Maharashtra trailing notably.

Agriculture department officials have noted that since Kharif sowing typically concludes by the end of August, further increase in these figures is unlikely.

According to data from the State Agriculture Department, the five-year average Kharif area (2019-20 to 2023-24) stands at 1.44 crore hectares. The 1.36 crore hectares sown this year is lower than last year's coverage of 1.42 crore hectares recorded by August 29. While overall coverage reached 95 per cent, the district-wise performance remains uneven, ranging from over 100 per cent in some regions to barely 70-80 per cent in others.

The monsoon season got off to a slow start with a dry June. Sowing picked up pace following satisfactory rains in early July, but a largely dry August halted further progress. The dry spell in August severely impacted Marathwada, where crops are beginning to wither due to water scarcity. Farmers fear widespread crop loss if rain does not resume within a week.

According to the agriculture department data, Pune division led the state, achieving 101 per cent of its average sowing area with 12.66 lakh hectares covered. Within the division, Solapur reached 104 per cent, Pune recorded 100 per cent, and Ahilyanagar touched 99 per cent.

Nashik division achieved 98 per cent coverage across 19.85 lakh hectares, led by Nashik district at 101 per cent, followed by Dhule (98 per cent), Jalgaon (97per cent), and Nandurbar (90 per cent).

In the Vidarbha region, Amravati division completed 94 per cent of its target (29.83 lakh hectares), with Yavatmal (93 per cent) and Washim (93 per cent) registering steady numbers. In the Nagpur division (overall 94 per cent), Gondia district crossed its average to hit 113 per cent, whereas Chandrapur lagged at 88 per cent, and Nagpur and Bhandara recorded 90 per cent each.

Sowing reached 93 per cent in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division (with Jalna at 90 per cent) and 94 per cent in Latur division. Within Latur, Nanded reached 97 per cent, while Hingoli lagged significantly at 81 per cent.

Western Maharashtra saw an average of 93 per cent across 6.72 lakh hectares. Satara performed well at 99 per cent, but Sangli (89 per cent) and Kolhapur (87 per cent) recorded notable shortfalls.

The coastal Konkan region recorded the lowest sowing turnout in the state at just 83 per cent (3.23 lakh hectares). Raigad was the worst affected at 67 per cent, followed by Ratnagiri (71 per cent) and Sindhudurg (84 per cent). Thane and Palghar performed better, both reaching 96 per cent.

The department has listed key districts with higher sowing, including Gondia: 113 per cent, Solapur: 104 per cent, Nashik: 101 per cent, Pune: 100 per cent, Nanded: 97 per cent, Sangli: 89 per cent, Kolhapur: 87 per cent, Hingoli: 81 per cent and Raigad: 67 per cent.

Meanwhile, the weekly cabinet to be chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday will review sowing operations, water levels in over 3,000 irrigation reservoirs, emerging drought-like situation in Marathwada and relief measures, including availability of fodder for animals.