Gujarat Faces Drought Threat As Rainfall Stays At 75% Despite 92% Kharif Sowing
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Gujarat is facing growing concerns over crop losses as the state has received only 75.25% of its average rainfall even though farmers have completed 92.08% of the normal Kharif sowing area.
The uneven distribution of rainfall has left several parts of the state struggling. Kutch, Saurashtra and North Gujarat have recorded significant deficits, raising fears that standing crops could dry up if the state does not receive adequate rain in the coming days.
Farmers had increased sowing after the initial spell of monsoon rainfall, but the prolonged gap afterwards has put crops across thousands of hectares under moisture stress.
78.55 Lakh Hectares Covered Under Kharif Sowing
According to the three-year average, Gujarat normally records Kharif sowing across 85.30 lakh hectares.
This year, farmers have already sown crops across 78.55 lakh hectares, equivalent to 92.08% of the normal Kharif area.
Saurashtra accounts for the largest cultivated area at 36.60 lakh hectares, followed by North Gujarat at 16.53 lakh hectares and Central Gujarat at 14.35 lakh hectares.
Zone-wise Rainfall Status In Gujarat
Rainfall has been highly uneven across Gujarat. While South Gujarat has received more than its average rainfall, Kutch, North Gujarat and Saurashtra continue to face significant shortages.
Zone | Average rainfall (mm) | Rainfall this year (mm) | Rainfall received (%) |
Kutch | 500 | 146 | 29.29% |
North Gujarat | 730 | 410 | 56.23% |
Central-East Gujarat | 819 | 613 | 74.91% |
Saurashtra | 762 | 426 | 56.01% |
South Gujarat | 1,542 | 1,594 | 103.40% |
Overall average | 909 | 683 |
South Gujarat is the only zone to have crossed its average rainfall, recording 103.40% of the normal rainfall.
Zone | Average rainfall (mm) | Rainfall this year (mm) | Rainfall received (%) |
Kutch | 500 | 146 | 29.29% |
North Gujarat | 730 | 410 | 56.23% |
Central-East Gujarat | 819 | 613 | 74.91% |
Saurashtra | 762 | 426 | 56.01% |
South Gujarat | 1,542 | 1,594 | 103.40% |
Overall average | 909 | 683 |
South Gujarat is the only zone to have crossed its average rainfall, recording 103.40% of the normal rainfall.
Kutch has received just 29.29% of its average rainfall, while North Gujarat and Saurashtra have received 56.23% and 56.01%, respectively.
Top 8 Districts With The Highest Rainfall Deficit
The rainfall deficit is particularly severe in eight districts, where the shortfall ranges from more than 50% to over 90%.
District | Rainfall deficit (%) |
Devbhoomi Dwarka | 93.59% |
Porbandar | 81.88% |
Jamnagar | 71.12% |
Kutch | 70.71% |
Aravalli | 53.78% |
Sabarkantha | 53.39% |
Gir Somnath | 53.38% |
Rajkot | 52.91% |
Devbhoomi Dwarka has recorded the highest deficit at 93.59%, followed by Porbandar at 81.88% and Jamnagar at 71.12%.
Kutch has recorded a 70.71% deficit, while Aravalli, Sabarkantha, Gir Somnath and Rajkot have also reported deficits of more than 50%.
Kharif Crop Sowing According To Zones
Farmers across Gujarat have covered 78.55 lakh hectares under Kharif crops so far.
Zone | Cultivated area (hectares) |
Kutch | 4,33,700 |
North Gujarat | 16,53,800 |
Central Gujarat | 14,35,800 |
Saurashtra | 36,60,300 |
South Gujarat | 6,41,500 |
Total Kharif sowing | 78,55,100 |
Saurashtra has recorded the highest Kharif sowing at 36.60 lakh hectares, while North Gujarat stands second with 16.53 lakh hectares.
Groundnut And Soybean Sowing Cross 100%
Several major crops have already crossed their normal sowing targets.
Groundnut has been sown across 20.63 lakh hectares, reaching 104.73% of the target. Soybean sowing stands at 3.03 lakh hectares, or 104.80%.
Cotton remains one of the largest Kharif crops, with sowing completed across 21.41 lakh hectares.
Details Of Sowing According To Major Crops In Gujarat
Crop | Sowing area (hectares) | Sowing percentage |
Groundnut | 20,63,453 | 104.73% |
Sesame | 17,405 | 35.13% |
Castor | 4,72,365 | 69.01% |
Soybean | 3,03,240 | 104.80% |
Other oilseeds | 79 | 6.45% |
Cotton | 21,41,059 | 89.84% |
Tobacco | 1,583 | 3.47% |
Guar | 47,619 | 54.18% |
Vegetables | 2,40,484 | 89.97% |
Fodder | 8,32,367 | 81.01% |
Paddy | 8,80,150 | 99.06% |
Millets | 1,59,758 | 89.07% |
Sorghum | 13,869 | 82.70% |
Maize | 2,71,406 | 95.85% |
Other grains | 6,043 | 72.45% |
Turf | 2,71,066 | 105.70% |
Moong | 29,605 | 52.64% |
Tur | 86,531 | 108.89% |
Other pulses | 10,163 | 66.19% |
Other legumes | 855 | 12.81% |
Total Kharif sowing | 78,55,131 | 92.08% |
Standing Crops Need Rain
The high level of sowing means a large area of standing crops now depends on timely rainfall. Groundnut, soybean, cotton, paddy, maize, pulses and other Kharif crops require adequate moisture during their growing stages.
With the state receiving only 75.25% of its average rainfall and several districts facing major deficits, farmers in the affected regions are now waiting for another substantial spell of rain.
If the dry conditions continue, crops in rain-deficient areas could suffer further damage, putting farmers at risk of significant agricultural losses
