The Economic Times

Delayed rains likely to hit sowing of kharif crops, advance preparations underway: Chouhan

Delayed monsoon and deficient rainfall, with 315 districts potentially affected, are raising concerns for the upcoming kharif crop sowing. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted that 111 districts, particularly 20 in Maharashtra, are highly vulnerable due to limited irrigation. Despite a weaker monsoon forecast, current kharif coverage is slightly ahead of last year.