A favorable climate in India will provide bumper Rabi crop in 2020. Despite Kharif crop damage in the first half of 2019, the farmers are optimistic about good winter crops.
The Projections of Rabi Crop
The data collected by agriculture ministry revealed that the sowing of Rabi crop is 6.4% more than the previous year. The high reservoir water levels and sufficient soil moisture is making a way for bumper Rabi crop this year. Water levels in more than 60 reservoirs controlled by Central Water Commission exceeded 80% of their storage capacity.
Agri-inputs Sales
Evaluation by Antique Stock Broking Ltd showed a 15-20% increase in sales of most agro chemical companies during October and November this year. Vital crop nutrients industry (urea and diammonium phosphate) saw a 20% increase in sales during the same time. Arshad Perwez, vice president, JM Financial Institutional Securities Ltd said that favorable climate conditions have expanded the scope for rabi crop this season. Further, he accounted for farmer’s optimism to the high prices of agricultural commodities despite damaged Kharif crop production. Besides, several major agriculture input companies like Dhanuka Agritech Ltd, Rallis India Ltd, UPL Ltd, etc. expect better sales in the next year.
Delay in Sowing
The officials in the agriculture department predict a delay in sowing of rabi crops. The sowing will mainly get affected in North Maharashtra. They stated that the average time of sowing rabi crop will exceed. Due to excessive moisture in the soil, farmers of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Nandurbar and Jalgaon districts will continue to sow 10.80 lakh hectare of area till mid-January 2020.
Crisil Report on Kharif crop
The excessive rainfall in southern western states suffered crop damage whereas delayed monsoon in northern states led to a delay in the sowing of Kharif crops in 2019. Crisil research reported that 4% to 6% less production of Kharif crop will result in high prices. Besides, over 90% of the rabi crop sown area will give a healthy output in the crop year 2019-20.
To conclude, adequate water availability along with MSP hike by the government will increase profitability for farmers. Expect a bumper Rabi Crop in India for 2020 and increase in farmers income in 2020.